GIRL SCOUT COOKES: ANNUAL FUND-RAISING SALES BEGIN

The old meets the new today when nontraditional Girl Scouts join their conventional counterparts to kick off the group's annual cookie sales event.

The Otahki Girl Scout Council will begin taking orders for Girl Scout cookies at 3 p.m. Cookies again will sell for $2.50 per box.

Perennial favorites like the Thin Mints, Shortbread, Caramel DeLites and Peanut Butter Sandwiches will be available. Other offerings are Lemon Pastry Cremes (reduced fat), Peanut Butter Patties, Five World Cinnamons with Sugar and Upside-Down Frosted Oatmeal.

More than 2,800 girls in Missouri and Illinois will be eligible to participate in the fund raiser, which has taken place annually since 1936. Included in that number are some 20 members of the Diversity in Girls Sports interest group, a basketball team that doubles as a Girl Scout troop.

The group is one of a growing number of nontraditional troops being developed to spur interest in Scouting.

"Some traditionalists might question whether it is actually a Girl Scout troop, but as long as it meets our four goals it is indeed a troop," said Millie Turner of the Otahki Council.

The group was started in 1997 by Latanya Thomas, an adult volunteer who wanted to work with preteen and teen-age girls. Thomas affiliated with the Girl Scouts after discovering the two organizations had the same objectives and could provide additional opportunities for members by working together.

"Through the activity of basketball, these girls were encouraged to develop their potential, to learn how to relate to others, to develop values for better decision-making, and to contribute to society," said Turner. "At the same time, they are learning teamwork, responsibility, relations, and decision-making based on our promise and law while building their basketball skills."

Some team members said they looked forward to the cookie sales despite the perception by some peers that Scouting is for younger girls.

"I want to do it," said Deashia Swan, 13. "It'll be something good to do to help the community and help us do more things like buy equipment and stuff."

Turner said the cookie sale will benefit individual girls and troops as well as the council. Girls receive incentives for their efforts, troops receive funding to carry out group program activities, and the council receives funding to subsidize programs, maintain properties, provide resources and training for adults, and cover costs for publications and staff support.

She said she hopes to see more interest groups develop so older girls are enticed to remain active in Scouting. The cookie sales will always be around because people love Girl Scout cookies, but members are always needed, she said.

"We encourage troops to set goals so they are learning to work together as teams as well as reap benefits individually," said Turner. "We don't have to sell the cookies: we're selling Girl Scouting."