Girl Scout cookie season has officially begun, the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced in a January 6 release marking launch day. The rollout brings back long‑standing favorites such as Thin Mints and Caramel deLites (Samoas) while introducing a new flavor, Exploremores, inspired by rocky‑road ice cream. GSUSA leaders say the seasonal sales continue to fund local councils and troops and teach participants practical business skills. Scouts, families and customers across the U.S. can expect in‑person and online ordering options this season.
Key Takeaways
- GSUSA announced the official cookie season on January 6, with a national rollout coordinated by local councils.
- Exploremores is the headline new cookie, described as chocolate with marshmallow and toasted almond–flavored crème, inspired by rocky‑road ice cream.
- Two previous varieties, Toast‑Yay! and S’mores, have been retired from the national lineup.
- Classic cookies returning include Thin Mints, Caramel deLites (Samoas), Peanut Butter Patties (Tagalongs), Do‑si‑dos, and Trefoils; newer items such as Lemonades and Adventurefuls remain available.
- GSUSA calls the cookie program the world’s largest entrepreneurial program for girls; proceeds stay with local troops and councils to fund year‑round activities.
- Purchases are best made by contacting a scout directly or using the Girl Scout Cookie Finder by zip code to locate sellers.
- An eight‑year‑old scout in Washington, D.C., said she and her troop taste cookies before the season; family testimony highlights personal growth and inclusion benefits from participation.
Background
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a long‑standing national fundraising and skills‑development initiative run by GSUSA and implemented by local councils and volunteer troops. For decades the program has combined sales and entrepreneurship education, teaching scouts goal setting, money management, customer interaction and business ethics while financing troop activities. Each year GSUSA and councils evaluate the cookie lineup, occasionally retiring flavors and introducing new ones to refresh the brand and respond to consumer demand. The 2026 season continues that pattern: the organization retired Toast‑Yay! and S’mores and put Exploremores on the national menu.
Cookies are sold through a mix of in‑person booths, direct orders through scouts, and online options that route sales to local councils. That structure ensures revenue largely remains in the communities where scouts are active, funding camps, STEM programming and outdoor exploration. Stakeholders include GSUSA national staff, council volunteers, parents and the scouts themselves, plus suppliers and bakeries contracted to produce specific varieties. Because local councils manage distribution and troop allocations, availability can vary regionally even when items are on the national roster.
Main Event
On January 6, GSUSA issued a release announcing the start of cookie season and spotlighting Exploremores as the newest addition to the lineup. Wendy Lou, who oversees the GSUSA cookie program, characterized the season as both a celebration of tradition and an opportunity to introduce fresh flavors; the announcement emphasized skills development alongside product news. According to GSUSA materials, Exploremores blends chocolate, marshmallow and a toasted almond–flavored crème intended to evoke rocky‑road ice cream.
The press notice also confirmed the retirement of Toast‑Yay! and S’mores, which will no longer appear on the national menu after their runs. Exploremores joins perennial bestsellers such as Thin Mints and Caramel deLites (Samoas), as well as Tagalongs (Peanut Butter Patties), Do‑si‑dos (Peanut Butter Sandwich) and Trefoils. The organization reiterated that all proceeds stay with local councils and troops to underwrite programming throughout the year.
At the community level, scouts and families reacted to the launch with excitement. An eight‑year‑old Girl Scout in Washington, D.C., said tasting cookies with her troop before season start is an annual highlight, and she named Thin Mints and the new Exploremores as favorites. Her mother credited Girl Scouts with fostering her daughter’s quiet confidence and inclusive friendships, echoing GSUSA’s emphasis on personal development. GSUSA advised consumers to contact scouts directly or use the organization’s cookie finder by zip code to locate sellers.
Analysis & Implications
The introduction of Exploremores reflects a broader product‑cycling strategy that balances nostalgia with novelty to sustain consumer interest. Rotating flavors can reengage former buyers and generate press coverage, which in turn supports troop revenues that fund training, travel and STEM experiences. Because proceeds remain local, successful seasons translate directly into expanded opportunities for participating scouts at the council and troop level.
From a branding and marketing perspective, positioning Exploremores as inspired by a familiar ice cream flavor lowers the barrier for trial among consumers who may be hesitant to try unknown cookie concepts. Retiring varieties such as Toast‑Yay! and S’mores frees production capacity and shelf space for new items, though it can disappoint fans of discontinued flavors. Local councils will manage allocations, so early demand for Exploremores could create regional shortages that affect fundraising targets for some troops.
The program’s continued framing as the world’s largest entrepreneurial program for girls underscores a dual mission: sell cookies and teach real‑world skills. That educational angle strengthens fundraising appeals and may encourage parents and community partners to support sales beyond impulse purchases. Looking ahead, monitoring sales trends and retailer or bakery supply responses will indicate whether Exploremores becomes a lasting seller or a seasonal novelty.
Comparison & Data
| Cookie | Status | Flavor Profile (short) |
|---|---|---|
| Exploremores | New (2026 season) | Chocolate, marshmallow, toasted almond‑flavored crème |
| Toast‑Yay! | Retired | Toast‑topped flavor (previously available) |
| S’mores | Retired | Graham, chocolate, marshmallow |
| Thin Mints | Classic | Chocolate‑mint |
| Caramel deLites (Samoas) | Classic | Caramel, toasted coconut, chocolate |
The table above summarizes recent lineup changes and the headline characteristics of selected cookies. While exact sales figures and regional shipment allocations are determined by bakeries and local councils each season, the mix of classics and a headline new flavor follows GSUSA’s pattern of mixing reliable sellers with promotional items to drive interest.
Reactions & Quotes
GSUSA leaders framed the launch as both celebratory and mission‑driven.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the new, delicious Exploremores cookie to the iconic cookie lineup people know and love.”
Wendy Lou, GSUSA cookie program lead
GSUSA’s program messaging emphasizes skill development tied to cookie season.
“With every purchase, consumers directly support local Girl Scouts’ abilities to explore more opportunities in STEM, the outdoors and more.”
GSUSA release
At the local level, participants highlighted personal impact and excitement for new flavors.
“My favorite part of cookie season is trying all the cookies with my troop before cookie season even starts.”
Florence Reddick, Girl Scout, age 8
Unconfirmed
- Nationwide availability of Exploremores in every council and store is not confirmed; local councils will determine allocations.
- GSUSA has not released aggregated national sales projections for Exploremores or indicated whether the flavor will return beyond the 2026 season.
Bottom Line
Cookie season’s 2026 launch combines tradition with a targeted product refresh: classics remain while Exploremores arrives to generate interest and sales. The rollout continues GSUSA’s dual objectives of fundraising and leadership development, with proceeds funding local programs and scouts gaining practical business experience. For consumers, the most direct way to support scouts is to buy from a local seller or use the national cookie finder by zip code; for GSUSA, initial demand and council allocation decisions will determine how quickly Exploremores reaches shoppers nationwide.
Watch for council announcements about local availability and any updates from GSUSA or its licensed bakeries on supply and seasonal promotions. If you want to support a troop directly, contact a local scout or use the cookie finder tool to locate sellers in your area.
Sources
- Southern Living (news media) — coverage of the GSUSA January 6 launch and local scout interviews.
- Girl Scouts of the USA — Cookies (official site) — program details, cookie finder and information on how proceeds support local councils.