Girl Scouts: mission to cookie success

Paisley and Abigail of Girl Scout Troop 3956 plan to use their cookie earnings for outdoor adventures and to make the world a better place. (photo by Alexis Vercollone)

Girl Scouts: mission to cookie success

On a rainy Saturday afternoon, Scripps Ranch Girl Scout Troop 3956 was all smiles while managing a colorful display of all eight types of Girl Scout Cookies. As part of a 24-girl, multi-level Girl Scout troop, Junior Abigail was mentoring Brownie Paisley on the intricacies of marketing techniques while keeping their cookie booth dry during a downpour.

The troop is confident they will reach their goals this year and plan on using earnings for an overnight adventure, as well as funding their Girl Scout Bronze Award project: two buddy benches at their local elementary schools. Last year, they used proceeds for a horseback riding workshop and a camping weekend in Julian.

“I really love the multi-age experience. It works for us. The little girls look up to the older ones, who serve as mentors,” said leader Amanda Murphy. “With three co-leaders, we meet twice a month, and usually have a field trip or an overnight for one of those meetings.”

The leaders have welcomed girls from all parts of San Diego County, including Vista, Sabre Springs and downtown San Diego.

“My favorite thing about Girl Scouts is the cookies, both selling and eating them,” Abigail said.

She has set a high goal for herself this year, including sending 100 packages to Operation Thin MintSM (OTM), a local service project through which cookie customers can support the U.S. military with “a taste of home and a note to show we care.” Since OTM’s inception in 2002, the public has donated more than 3 million packages of cookies and countless handwritten notes of support to deployed military troops and local veterans.

By participating in the cookie program, Girl Scouts will practice goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics, and are preparing for their futures as the next generation of female leaders. All net cookie revenue stays local to fund programs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); outdoors; life skills; and entrepreneurship. Cookie proceeds also support the financial assistance that keeps Girl Scouting available and affordable for all.

When the 2020 Girl Scout Cookie Program started last month, Girl Scouts rolled out a brand-new cookie: Lemon-Ups™! Each zesty, crispy cookie includes a message of leadership (like “I am an innovator” or “I am strong”) to inspire girls and cookie customers.

For the sixth consecutive year, Thin Mints, Samoas, Do-si-dos, Trefoils and Tagalongs are $5 per package, as are the new Lemon-Ups. Two specialty products – Girl Scout S’mores and gluten-free Toffee-tastics – are $6 each due to higher production costs.

Girl Scouts is a place for girls (#BestPlace4girls), preparing them for a lifetime of leadership. All girls in grades K-12 and adult volunteers are welcome to join Girl Scouts at any time during the year. Camp registration is now underway. Find details at sdgirlscouts.org, or contact Scripps Ranch Recruitment Specialist Andrea Rentería, (619) 610-0774 or arenteria@sdgirlscouts.org.