It is that time of year for Girl Scout troops to begin their annual Cookie Program. In Richland County there are 26 troops that will be selling eight different varieties of cookies.
Khalila Hayden is the Public Relations Coordinator with the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council. She explained what some of the benefits are in joining Girl Scouts.
“Girl Scouts’ mission is to build girls’ courage, confidence, and character, which make the world a better place. In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong,” said Hayden.
Hayden shared how selling cookies can help teach Girl Scouts life lessons.
“There’s more to Girl Scout cookies than what is in the box. Selling cookies teaches girls goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics, which are aspects essential to leadership, success, and life,” said Hayden.
Selling cookies also helps Girl Scouts earn money for activities and special events. The money can be used to purchase new materials that can be used by community and memberships.
There is a long standing tradition of the disbursement of Girl Scout cookies. “Girl Scout Cookies had their earliest beginnings in the kitchens and ovens of our girl members, with moms volunteering as technical advisers. The sale of cookies, as a way to finance troop activities, began as early as 1917, five years after Juliette Gordon Low started Girl Scouting in the United States, when the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma, baked cookies and sold them in its high school cafeteria as a service project,” said Hayden.
Hayden explained that the most popular varieties of Girl Scout Cookies include Thin Mints and Samoas. In 2012, Savannah Smiles became the newest cookie added to the program. The cookie was added to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the USA.
The time to purchase Girl Scout Cookies runs from Jan. 11- April 6. Cookies can be purchased from girls who are participating in Girl Scouts and only during the cookie season.
“Every cookie has a mission, to help girls do great things,” said Hayden.
Girl Scouts are also giving back to the men and women who serve in military forces. “This year, Girl Scouts will collect and distribute donated Girl Scout cookie packages to men and women serving in the military via our Operation Salute program. So, as people are ordering their cookies they can also elect to purchase boxes to donate to Operation Salute. This effort is a part of our Council Gift of Caring (CGOC) program which encourages girls to make a difference in their community,” said Hayden.
The Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland will host a Game Night at the Lexington Branch of the public library on Thursday, Feb. 6. All girls are welcome to come and play games and learn about Girl Scouting. Th event is free and open to any girls who want to learn more about Scouting.
During March 9-15 Girl Scouts’ will hold Walkabout Week. This will give the girls an opportunity to make a connection with their neighborhoods. Walkabout Week is focusing on reaching even more houses and more neighborhoods.
“There’s more to Girl Scout cookies than what is in the box. Selling cookies teaches girls goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics, which are aspects essential to leadership, success, and life,” said Khalila Hayden.
