The famous Thin Mints remain, but Girl Scouts are giving their cookie boxes an overhaul to highlight the real purpose of the $790-million cookie program, which is to teach girls five essential life skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, business ethics, and people skills.
To celebrate such a monumental program, this year Girl Scouts has named February 8 National Girl Scout Cookie Day. Girls will be asking 50 million cookie fans across the nation to buy or order more boxes in honor of their success in running the largest girl-led business enterprise in the world.
“The public loves Girl Scout cookies, but many people don’t realize there is so much more to cookies than what is inside the box. When a girl sells a box of cookies she is gaining life skills that are essential to successful leadership,” said Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland CEO, Anne Soots. “Through management of their cookie business, girls gain decision making and people skills that will guide them as they become the leaders of our communities.”
When it comes to skill building, statistics show the Girl Scout Cookie Program works. According to a survey from the Girl Scout Research Institute, 85 percent of Girl Scout “cookie entrepreneurs” learn money management by developing budgets, taking cookie orders, and handling customers’ money. Eighty-three percent build business ethics; 80 percent learn goal setting; 77 percent improve decision making; and 75 percent develop people skills.
All the revenue earned from cookie activities—every penny after paying the baker—stays local. Girl Scout troops use the money to pay for leadership activities, community service projects, trips, membership dues and much more. The local Girl Scout council uses the money to supply essential services to troops, groups, and individual girls, such as providing program resources and communication support, training adult volunteers, and conducting events. As part of their experience in any Girl Scout product activity, girls can also earn official Girl Scout awards at every level of Girl Scouting, including cookie and financial literacy badges and the annual Cookie Activity Pin.
The direct sale component of the Girl Scout Cookie Program begins the weekend of February 9. “This is a great opportunity for the public to see first-hand the skills girls are learning and to help them polish their skills,” said Soots. “We encourage you to say ‘Hello’ to the girls, look them in the eye and let them know if you were a Girl Scout and ask them about their goals and what their plans are for the money they earn. Remember, your purchase of Girl Scout cookies is helping girls learn skills that will last a lifetime.”
In the first package design update since 1999, the 200 million Girl Scout cookie boxes sold annually now feature a new look that highlights the skills girls learn through the program. A new theme reinforces a more contemporary message–“This Is What a Girl Can Do.”
Girl Scout Cookies will be sold through mid-March this year, with eight cookie varieties available: Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Shortbread, Thanks-A-Lot, Lemonades and new this year, Mango Crèmes. Cookies are $4 per box, with all proceeds benefitting the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
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