girl scouts of the colonial coast
“I kept my order list from last year so that I can call my customers,” Claire said. "I already know what they like, and I can ask them if they want to reorder their favorite flavors. Of course, I can’t wait to tell them about the new S’mores cookie!"
Claire also uses traditional selling techniques used by millions of girls to sell Girl Scout Cookies, going door to door to take orders from neighbors. This year, she is planning to take her sales to the next level by using Digital Cookie, a platform that allows her to set up her own online cookie store and send email invitations to friends and family for them to place orders online.
For Claire and fellow members of Girl Scout Troop 1659, the cookie program is important. It funds activities, projects and special trips. Last year, the troop visited The Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium for challenging, teambuilding experiences in the outdoors. They also took a fun trip to Great Wolf Lodge. In addition, the troop completed community service projects that included stuffing bags for Thanksgiving at the Poquoson Food Pantry and helping with an Earth Day cleanup at Mt. Vernon Elementary School.
The troop also took part in Gift of Caring, a community service activity that is part of the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program. Customers have an option to purchase cookies that are donated to a worthy cause.
“We donated cookies to the food bank and sent some to a troop member’s parent who was deployed on a Navy ship,” Claire said. “Our troop likes the personal connection of donating cookies to members of the military who we know. We’re planning on doing that again.”
Where will the troop’s cookie dough go this year? The troop has plans to take a big camping trip and do more community service projects. Claire, president of the troop who is also working on the Girl Scout Silver Award, the second highest honor and achievement a girl can earn in Girl Scouting, says the funds will be used wisely.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the nation’s leaning financial literacy and entrepreneurial program for girls. Girl Scout Cookies not only help girls earn money for fun, educational activities and community projects, but also play a huge role in teaching girls how to be go-getters, innovators, risk-takers and leaders as they learn essential life and business skills.
Girl Scouts in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina are currently taking orders for cookies. Cookies will arrive to the region on February 18, and cookie booth sales will begin the following day. For more information, visit www.gsccc.org.
