Since 1917, the Girl Scout Cookie Program has become a famous annual event that has helped girls develop important leadership skills they will use throughout their lives. The Girl Scout Cookie Program, an integral part of Girl Scouting’s financial literacy initiative for girls in grades K through 12, helps girls develop five skills for a successful career, including goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics. The Girl Scout Cookie Program also provides valuable experiences that build girls’ self-confidence and help them develop their own personal leadership style.
Essentially, girls run their own business. The entire troop sets a goal and follows a plan leading toward that goal. Girl Scout troops use funds from the cookie activity to fund a service project or to plan for an exciting trip. Many successful women have credited their business skills to the Girl Scout Cookie Program, making it the premier business and economic literacy program for girls in the United States.
“The Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls how to run their own business,” says Deborah Hearn Smith, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. “They write marketing plans, create budgets, and set goals, while having fun with their friends. Then they use their proceeds to do community service projects and participate in hands-on activities including science and technology.”
About the cookies
Girl Scout Cookies come in eight varieties, including Do-si-dos, crisp and crunchy oatmeal cookies with creamy peanut butter filling; Rah-Rah Raisins (new), hearty oatmeal cookies with plump raisins and Greek yogurt-flavored chunks; Samoas, crisp cookies, coated in caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut, and striped with a dark chocolaty coating; Savannah Smiles, crisp, zesty lemon wedge cookies dusted with powdered sugar; Tagalongs, crispy cookies layered with peanut butter and covered with a chocolaty coating; Thin Mints, crisp wafers covered in chocolaty coating, made with natural oil of peppermint; Toffee-tastic (new), gluten-free rich, buttery cookies packed with golden toffee bits bursting with flavor; and Trefoils, traditional shortbread cookies.
This year marks the 40th birthday of Samoas. Girl Scouts across the country are gearing up for January 10, when they will join a virtual party to celebrate the birthday of America’s most deliciously different cookie and tune in for the biggest cookie party ever.
The new gluten-free Toffee-tastic cookies will be only available during booth sales and won’t be available on order cards. Toffee-tastic cookies are only available in limited quantities while supplies last.
Girl Scout Cookies will be delivered beginning the week of February 2 and will be sold at booths at Marsh Supermarkets and other local retailers and financial institutions through mid-March. The cost is only $4 per package. Girl Scout Cookies may be ordered directly from participating Girl Scouts by calling toll-free 855-GSCIN-4U (855-472-4648) or by visiting girlscoutcookies.org.
Customers who buy cookies from their local Girl Scouts can be assured the proceeds will directly benefit Girl Scouts in their community. A portion of each package of Girl Scout Cookies sold goes to Girl Scout troops to fund activities such as trips, hands-on science and technology activities, and community service projects. Girl Scouts of Central Indiana receives a portion of the proceeds to fund scholarships for summer camp, recruitment and training of adult volunteers, and to support council-wide initiatives.
Again this year, Girl Scouts across central Indiana will also sell cookies for Operation: Cookie Drop, which benefits military men and women and charitable organizations. Girls will ask customers to purchase Girl Scout Cookies that will be distributed to soldiers stationed at military bases across central Indiana, along with retired military personnel and to people who may not be able to afford a sweet treat. Last year, more than 75,000 packages of Girl Scout Cookies were donated to Operation: Cookie Drop.
Corporate sponsors for the cookie program are: American Dairy Association Indiana, Dean Foods, and Marsh Supermarkets. Milk and Girl Scout Cookies sure go together!
