100 Years of Girl Scout Cookies
By Taylor Fisher
Everyone has a special place in his/her heart for Girl Scout cookies. Not only because the cookies are delicious, but because purchasing Girl Scout cookies helps girls fulfill their dreams, follow their passions, and learn essential life skills.
For 100 years, Girl Scouts have used cookie earnings to build everyday leaders who make a positive impact on our world. It all started in 1917 when Girl Scouts in Muskogee, Oklahoma, hit upon the idea to fund their projects by selling cookies they made themselves in their own kitchens. Once this simple, yet clever, idea caught the attention of other troops, the movement of Girl Scouts selling cookies took off, and today it is the largest girl-led business in the world.
As Girl Scout cookie sales gained popularity, commercial bakers were enlisted in the late 1930s to help make the popular treats. Two of the original bakers, ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers, still remain as the official bakeries of the Girl Scouts. Today, nearly one million Girl Scouts participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Last year, nearly 5,000 Girl Scouts – Diamonds girls (the Texarkana council is part of the Diamond Girl Scouts) sold over one million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies.
These iconic cookies are so much more than a delicious treat! Girl Scout cookies help Girl Scouts earn money for fun, educational activities and community projects, and also play a huge role in transforming girls into G.I.R.L.s (Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers, Leaders)TM. Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls learn five essential life skills: goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics.
The 2017 Girl Scout cookie season will be bigger and better than ever this year in the four states area. Not only is this the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts nationwide selling cookies, but it is also the 100th year of Girl Scouts in Arkansas! In celebration of 100 years of Girl Scouts selling cookies, there will be a new addition to the Girl Scout cookie family – the new S’mores cookie! What better combination than two iconic Girl Scout traditions – s’mores and Girl Scout cookies?
On January 21, you can help the next generation of girls fulfill their dreams and change the world by purchasing cookies. With every box of Girl Scout cookies you buy this year, you help support tomorrow’s courage-boosting, confidence-inspiring, character-building experiences for girls.
Girl Scouts is the leading organization that provides girls with a fun and safe environment to overcome fears and try new things – no matter their age or ability. Through the program’s wide range of activities, a second-grader might try Girl Scout camp for the first time, whereas a ninth-grader might discover her inner scientist at robotics camp. Through experiences like these, girls become more active and engaged learners. They become greater challenge-seekers, develop a positive sense of self, and learn resourceful problem solving.
There are approximately 47 Girl Scout troops in the Texarkana service area, with programs for girls from kindergarten through high school. Within the Girl Scouts – Diamonds program focus areas of leadership, life skills, outdoors and STEAM, girls can find plenty of activities to match their interests. Girl Scouts helps girls discover themselves and the world around them, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place.
Giving back to communities has been a hallmark of Girl Scouts and the Girl Scout Cookie Program since the beginning, and Texarkana girls are no different. One of many giving back projects by local Girl Scouts includes the donation of cookies to the Hero’s Pantry of Texarkana, which supports military veterans. Troop 2388 girls have supported the Hero’s Pantry for two years. Not only does the troop donate cookie boxes to the pantry using 100 percent of their cookie earnings, but also they help with a variety of donations throughout the year. This inspiring troop has 11 girls, ranging from kindergarten through 11th grade. “Each one of them has a heart pure of gold. They always want to help others before they help themselves,” says Jennifer Gilbert, their troop leader.
