Everyone who buys a box of Girl Scout Cookies knows that our Cookie Program helps girls learn valuable life skills, such as goal-setting and money management. As a Girl Scout volunteer, you know that our cookies provide girls with unforgettable experiences, making them a whole lot more than just a tasty treat. It’s time to get your girls excited for some post-cookie fun!
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Did you know? By participating in Girl Scout product programs, your girls can fund their next adventure! Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can opt-out of the standard cookie program recognition plan, skipping the stuffed animals and toys, and choose to receive Reward Cards instead.
Think of Reward Cards as gift cards that your girls can spend on anything Girl Scout related—from a new Girl Scout t-shirt to a trip abroad, the possibilities are endless! With so many fun programs and events to choose from, we’ve put together five fun ways your girls can use their Cookie Reward Cards to get outdoors:
1. Attend an Outdoor Program
Connecting with the outdoors is an essential part of the Girl Scout experience, which is why GSNorCal offers year-round programs that encourage girls to get outside. Our outdoor programs include a wide variety of engaging activities from archery essentials to wilderness techniques that will teach your girls some nifty new skills while enjoying the nature nearby.
Do your girls have a particular interest in backpacking, sailing, or high adventure trips? Check out our volunteer-run outdoor interest groups.
2. Go Camping as a Troop
Grab your girls and plan a weekend getaway to one of our local campgrounds. GSNorCal has several affordable rental properties in the area that troops can utilize throughout the year. Each property has different capacities, prices, and accommodations, so whether your girls want to explore the secluded redwoods at Camp Skylark Ranch or the famous San Francisco attractions near Camp Ida Smith, your troop will definitely be able to find the campground right for them!
3. Sign Up for Summer Camp
There’s no better way to spend a summer away from home than with s’mores, songs, and your new Girl Scout sisters around a campfire! Summer camp is one of the most memorable outdoor activities for Girl Scouts, allowing them to discover themselves and develop their independence. Whether your girl is a first-time camper or a summer camp regular, GSNorCal has a summer camp program that’s right for her!
Fun Fact: 3,000 boxes of cookies = 1 whole week at the camp of her choice! 3,000 boxes may sound like a lot, but with the right go-getter attitude and these selling tips, your girls will be reaching their goals in no time!
4. Travel the world with GSNorCal’s Council Trips or GSUSA Destinations Programs
If your girls want to explore beyond their local area, they can use their Cookie Reward Cards to travel to other states or better yet, other countries! Every year, Girl Scouts of Northern California plans a handful of trips for girls to travel to new and exciting places. From hiking through lush rainforests of Costa Rica to snorkeling in the rivers of Panama, girls can sign up for these trips on their own or with their whole troop.
For girls who want to make new friends and meet Girl Scouts from across the United States, they can apply for unique, life-changing experiences through GSUSA’s Destinations Program.
These trips may be pricier than local events, but remember, Cookie Reward Cards never expire, so your girls can start saving today for a big adventure in the future.
5. Attend a Council-Sponsored Program
GSNorCal provides hundreds of council-sponsored programs every year that girls can fund using their Cookie Reward Cards. These programs provide girls with fun, one-of-a-kind, hands-on experiences that they’ll never forget. From our annual Golden Gate Bridging event to night hikes in the Marin Headlands, your girls will have tons of options to choose from!
Whether your girls want to go explore on their own or plan a trip as a troop, share these amazing outdoor opportunities with them and help them discover their dream program, trip, or event. Encourage your girls to set their cookie sale goals high this year, because with Girl Scout Cookies, your girls can go the distance and experience what this beautiful world has to offer!
Looking for more ways to get outdoors with your Cookie Reward Cards? Check out our GSNorCal’s Programs & Events page for upcoming events, outdoor programs, travel adventures, and more!
Leah Takahashi—Leah is the Digital Marketing Specialist for Girl Scouts of Northern California, where she creates content, plans blog posts, and promotes all things Girl Scouts in all formats digital. Leah joined Girl Scouts at the age of 5 and has been a part of the organization ever since (shout out to Troop 31213 – woot woot). During her younger Girl Scout days, Leah did everything from selling thousands of Girl Scout Cookies to serving as a National Delegate at the 2011 Convention and even earning her Gold Award in 2012. She may be young, but she’s got plenty of Girl Scout experience under her belt and is excited to share it with you!
