It is officially that time of year again. The air is getting slightly warmer, the days are getting longer, and the iconic colorful boxes are appearing on doorsteps and outside grocery stores. Yes, the 2026 Girl Scout Cookie season is in full swing!

While we all have our personal favorites—whether you’re a die-hard Thin Mints® fan or you’re eager to try the brand-new Exploremores™ (a rocky road-inspired chocolate sandwich cookie)—there is a much bigger story inside every box than just delicious treats.

100% Local: Where Your Money Actually Goes

One of the most common questions people ask is: "Does the money actually help the girls?" The answer is a resounding yes.

In the Cincinnati area and across the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio (GSWO) council, 100% of the net proceeds stay local. This revenue is the engine that powers:

  • Troop Adventures: Funding for camping trips, STEM workshops, and travel.

  • Community Projects: Many troops use their earnings to fund "Take Action" projects, such as building community gardens or supporting local animal shelters.

  • Life Skills: The program is the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. By selling cookies, girls learn Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics.

Meet the 2026 Lineup

This year, the stars of the show include:

  • Exploremores™ (New!): A chocolate sandwich cookie with marshmallow and almond-flavored creme.

  • Adventurefuls®: Brownie-inspired cookies with caramel creme and sea salt.

  • Lemonades®: Savory shortbread with tangy lemon icing.

  • Thin Mints®: The classic vegan-friendly mint chocolate legend.

  • Caramel deLites® / Samoas®: Caramel, coconut, and chocolaty stripes.

How to Support Cincinnati Girl Scouts

If you are in the Queen City and looking to stock your pantry (or your freezer—we don't judge), there are several ways to buy before the season ends on March 29, 2026.

1. Use the Official Cookie Finder

The easiest way to find a booth near you—whether it's at a Kroger in Hyde Park or a storefront in West Chester—is the Girl Scout Cookie Finder. Just enter your zip code to see a map of upcoming local booths.

2. Buy Online via Digital Cookie

Many girls in Cincinnati run their own "Digital Cookie" storefronts. These links allow you to have cookies shipped directly to your house or donated to Operation Salute, which sends cookies to military members and veterans.

A Quick Tip for "Last Chance Weekend"

In Cincinnati, the "Last Chance Weekend" is scheduled for March 27–29, 2026. This is typically the final push for booth sales, so if you’ve been procrastinating, that is your final window to grab those boxes of Peanut Butter Patties before they're gone for the year.