“At Girl Scouts, we believe in the magic and scale of the cookie program,” says Citrus Girl Scouts Executive Director Jennifer Wilcox.
As cookie season began earlier this month, so did legions of believers who started stocking up on boxes of their favorite Thin Mints and Trefoils. But wait a minute, Caramel Delites. Because new cookies are coming this year.
Inspired by the flavors of Rocky Road ice cream, these chocolate sandwich cookies feature a fluffy marshmallow and toasted almond-flavored cream filling.
It might become your new favorite? Maybe. But more importantly, the program behind these classic treats acts as a boardroom inside a box. That’s why this year’s theme, “More Than Cookies: How Girl Scouts Build Future Female CEOs,” challenges local scouts to step into the role of entrepreneurs and run the world’s largest girl-led businesses.
“Providing more than a sweet treat, this program allows girls to set goals, reach for the stars, and exceed their wildest expectations,” says Wilcox.
“We are the nation’s largest workforce development organization for girls, and every cookie sold helps develop the next female CEO, entrepreneur, inventor, astronaut, and even President of the United States. From the booth to the boardroom, the GS Cookie Program is empowering the next generation of leadership.”
This year, Girl Scouts can take their cookie business to the next level as part of the new Cookie Tycoon program. This allows your favorite local business partners to sell in-store (provided the necessary programming requirements are met).
If a Girl Scout has a personal connection to an independent business owner, the business may install two remotely controlled unmanned booths, known as tycoon booths, unless the business is large and would normally have a booth staffed by troops.
To ease the guilt of purchasing cookies, customers can smile knowing that every purchase helps Girl Scouts of Citrus fund programs like STEM workshops, outdoor adventures, and community service projects, while the sales experience teaches them real-world skills like goal setting, money management, and business ethics.
Hopelessly obsessed with cookies? Try a spiced up take on classic oatmeal
Find your local booth at www.citrus-gs.org or use the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app. You can also reach out to a Girl Scout you know to get a link to their digital cookie store to buy online, or text COOKIES to 59618 to stay up to date on finding your favorite cookies.
Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
