Girl Scout Cookie Program Kicks Off: Girls Learn Skills and Give Back

From now through mid-March, community members are invited to indulge their sweet tooth - and to support local Girl Scouts as they participate in the United States' leading entrepreneurial program for girls. During the past several months, girls have been learning about goal-setting, budgeting, and customer service. They have set individual goals, and will earn recognition items such as Girl Scout Cookie Credit, which they can use to help pay for Girl Scout summer camp, program events, uniform pieces, and more. Each Girl Scout troop also sets goals, and earns proceeds for learning activities, field trips, and service projects.

Since its inception more than ninety years ago, the Girl Scout Cookie Program has empowered girls by teaching them skills for life and business and by growing their self-confidence and independence. "The Girl Scout Cookie Program may only last a few months of the year," says Jennifer M. Orban, Chief Executive Officer for Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, "but girls benefit for a lifetime. The Girl Scout Cookie Program activities help them realize their potential to become productive and self-sufficient citizens."

Of course, the Girl Scout Cookie Program also encourages girls to give back to their communities. Many Girl Scout troops participate in a "Cookie Share" program, in which customers may purchase cookies for a local organization of the girls' choosing. In addition, girls are encouraged to utilize some of their proceeds for community service. Last year, Girl Scouts throughout Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland made a difference through projects such as holiday "adopt-a-family" programs, park beautification, visits to nursing homes, blanket-making for emergency facilities and school recycling programs.

Girl Scouts will be knocking on doors through January 24 and hosting Girl Scout Cookie booths at local merchants from February 13 through mid-March. This year, eight delicious cookie varieties are available in Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland: Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Shortbread, Thanks-A-Lot, Lemonades and Daisy Go Rounds. All proceeds directly benefit the Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls. For more information about the Girl Scout Cookie Program, please call 877-312-4764 or visit www.girlscoutcookies.org.

About the Girl Scout Leadership Experience

Girl Scouting is about building strong leaders. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting is the premier leadership development organization for girls ages 5-17 in America. With 3.7 million members worldwide, Girl Scouts has a strong history of encouraging girls to become strong, confident young women. The Girl Scout Leadership Development Experience encourages girls to engage not just in traditional activities and service projects, but also in the process of leadership. Through hands-on opportunities, girls learn-by-doing in cooperative group settings and empowering individual explorations. Girl Scouting helps girls discover a strong sense of self, connect with others in a changing world, and take action to help make the world a better place.

About Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland serves 20,000 girls in 68 counties, who are developing crucial life skills that help them grow courageous and strong so they can make wise choices in today's world and beyond. To volunteer your time, make a donation, or join Girl Scouts, call 877-312-4764 or visit us on the web at www.girlscoutsmoheartland.org.

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