Girl Scout Cookie Program

The month of January signifies the return of the Girl Scout Cookie program here in Central Texas. The Girl Scout business is considered to be the largest girl-led business in the world and with that distinction comes the responsibility of the program to respond to demand.

This season the introduction of the digital cookie will enable the Girl Scouts to receive cookie orders online. According to Girl Scouts of Central Texas, digital cookie allows girls to track and accept orders online through their own unique, customizable websites. Digital cookie is just one of the ways the business is working to meet the unique technological needs of today’s girl while providing the best customer service possible.

“All the money the girls make stays in Central Texas: Girl Scout USA receives no money from cookie sales. They then can earn what we call ‘cookie dough’ which can be used for buying more cookies to help boost their business,” said Girl Scout Central Texas Public Relations Executive Taji Senior.

With each box of cookies costing $4.00 a box: 83 cents is used for troop and service unit, 99 cents is what it actually cost to make the cookie, $1.70 is for programming, and 48 cents is used for fund development and management & administration. Proceeds from sales also provide financial assistance for girls in need. This year selections are Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils, Savannah Smiles, Rah-Rah Raisins, and Toffee-Tastic.

According to GSCT, the cookie program is a lunch pad for girls who are raised to change the world. Since 1922, the program has offered girls the chance to become entrepreneurs by teaching the necessary skills of everyday life. Eighty-five percent of the girls increased their money management skills as they developed budgets, took cookie orders, and handled customers’ money. Eighty-three percent developed business ethics by learning to fulfill promises to customers. Eight percent set goals and created objectives to reach them. Seventy-seven percent made important decisions by learning to work as a team to develop a business plan and deciding when and where to sell cookies. And 75 percent developed people skills by learning to talk to, listen to, and work with different kinds of people. The organization spans 46 counties in Central Texas, with 16,500 girls and more than 12,000 adult volunteers. Teamwork, friendship, and community is what unites them. They get involved in the community through hundreds of service projects each year. The mission of GSCT is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character. Interested girls in grades K-12 are encouraged to visit www.gsctx.org to learn how to become a girl scout. The cost of being a girl scout is only $15 per school year.

“Supporting the Girl Scout Cookie program means so much more than buying a box of cookies. You’re supporting a girl as she learns to run a business, which gives her the confidence to tackle even bigger dreams,” said CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Texas Lynelle McKay.