Renewal – Frequently Asked Questions

Troops can earn additional cookie proceeds for the 2027 cookie season when they achieve 80% youth membership renewed. 

Renew 80% of youth membership between April 1 and April 30 

•  Earn an additional $0.10 per box sold during the 2027 cookie sale. 

Renew 80% of youth membership between May 1 and May 31  

• Earn an additional $0.05 per box sold during the 2027 cookie sale. 

*Incentives are not cumulative — troops earn one reward level based on when they achieve 80% of youth membership renewed during the early bird season.  

When members renew early, it helps everyone plan for a successful Girl Scout year. Since many troops take a break over the summer, early renewal gives troop leaders, Service Units, and Council a clear picture of which families are returning. This allows for better meeting plans, activities, and programs for the year ahead. 

Troop membership is recorded on March 31^st by GSNorCal. The total number of youth registered to your troop March 31^st becomes the fixed number used to calculate the retention goal. 

All registered youth members count – not just active participants. The number needed to qualify is calculated at 80% of registered youth members and rounded to the nearest tenth. 

Example: If a troop has 12 registered youth on March 31, they must have 10 youth retained to meet 80%

Yes. New youth who join the troop with extended-year membership will count toward the troop’s renewed goal. Troops can achieve the 80% renewed goal by renewing current youth members and/or adding new youth who join with extended-year membership. New youth who join only for the remainder of the current membership year (without renewing for next year) do not count toward retention. 

GSNorCal has listed out each troop’s renewal goal on our help center. 2026 Early Bird Troop Renewal Goals – GS Norcal HelpCenter

Every youth member who renews by June 30 will receive a patch. Earning a patch does not guarantee a troop qualifies for the troop cookie bonus. Adults may request an early renewal patch by completing the Adult Patch Request Form.

Yes. Troops that are unable to meet the deadline may apply for consideration for the 5-cent bonus if there are circumstances out of the troops’ control that made it difficult to reach 80% retained. 

• Application window: June 1 through July 31 VS_Early_Bird_Reward_Exceptions_Form   

• Approval is not guaranteed. Each request is carefully reviewed by the Early Bird Project Team. 

• Notifications will be sent in the fall. 

We know that sometimes situations arise that make meeting the goal challenging, and we’re glad to review requests. 

Early renewal is for current members who choose to renew their membership early for the following membership year. 

Extended year membership is for new members who join between April 1 and July 31. Find out more Extended Year Membership – GS Norcal HelpCenter 

Yes – there are some program-level incentives that are available for troops that are bridging and renew during early bird. 

• Bridging Daisies troops may qualify for a Brownie Girl Scout Experience Box when at least 4 youth members and 1 adult renew by June 30th. 

• Bridging Brownie troops may qualify for a limited-supply Girl Scout Experience Box for Juniors when at least 4 youth members and 1 adult renew. 

Junior boxes are limited, so eligibility depends on when the troop reaches the renewal goal. Troops that meet the requirements earlier are more likely to receive a Girl Scout Experience Box. Find out more on our Girl Scout Experience Box FAQ    

Yes, on October 19, 2024, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and it’s National Board held a special National Council Session. Youth and adult delegates from councils across the country met to discuss and vote on proposals related to national membership dues. 

During this National Council session, the following membership dues structure was approved: 

• Youth: $65 total national dues, phased in over two years 
  • $45 for Membership Year 2025–2026 (Current year)
  • $65 for Membership Year 2026–2027  (begins 9/30/26)
• Adults: $30 national dues, effective Membership Year 2025–2026 

Girl Scouts of Northern California (GSNorCal) has a $25 local council service fee for youth members, bringing the total youth membership cost to $90 for Membership Year 2026–2027. The local council service fee supports GSNorCal council. While councils do receive a small portion of national membership dues, the majority of those dues support GSUSA. 

Yes. Youth financial aid can be requested during renewal or registration.Financial Aid Options – GS Norcal HelpCenter. Adults can request financial aid for their annual membership dues and/or their background checks by filling out the online Adult Membership Financial Aid Request Form. 

• Confidence to walk into any room or workplace knowing they belong and can succeed. 
• Personal growth and a strong sense of self can help keep her emotionally anchored through both good times and tough times.  
• A sense of belonging, a love of teamwork, and the desire to be an active part of their local and global community.  
• Global awareness, cultural insights, and an acute understanding of differences that will help them go far. 
• The self-assurance it takes to try new things, tackle challenges, and be open to life’s big changes. 
• Real-life business experience along with budget-building and financial literacy skills that will help them make smart decisions as they grow.  
• A deeper understanding of their place in the world and respect for different cultures and ways of being. 
• The ability to brainstorm, create, execute and achieve goals that matter to them stick with it to the end. 
• Trust from knowing that they belong to a Girl Scout sisterhood that goes back more than 100 years, from which they can seek guidance, inspiration, and support.