The Southwest Voice

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Every year, thousands of girls across Kern County, and the world, gain valuable knowledge while providing the community with a special treat — Girl Scout Cookies. This year will be no exception.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program, an integral part of Girl Scouting’s Business and Economic Literacy initiative for girls ages 6 to 17, provides finance, marketing and public speaking skills, along with valuable experiences that build girls’ self-confidence and help them develop their own personal leadership style.

Locally, girls will begin to sell Girl Scout cookies on Jan. 20 and end on March 18^{. We are very proud to announce that all varieties of Girl Scout cookies are now zero trans fat per serving, in compliance with FDA regulations. This change was made because, like most successful businesswomen, Girl Scouts listen to their customers. Further, we are also introducing a new sugar-free chocolate cookie called the Little Brownie.}

Since 1917, the Girl Scout cookie program has become a famous annual event that has helped girls develop important leadership skills they will use throughout their lives. Whether they are dreaming of becoming a doctor, teacher, businesswoman, president of the PTA, or superstar athlete, the Girl Scout Cookie Program gives them the self-esteem they need to reach for the stars.

Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls manage inventory, set goals, learn money management, and develop marketing skills. Essentially, the girls run their own business. The entire troop sets a goal and follows a plan leading toward that goal. Girl Scout troops use funds from the cookie activity to fund a service project or to plan for an exciting trip. Last year's activities included trips to San Francisco, Disneyland, and Hawaii.

Troops participated in several service projects to help out in their communities, and many troops planned family parties to thank them for their help throughout the year. Many successful women have credited their business skills to the Girl Scout Cookie Program, making it the premier business and economic literacy program for girls in the United States.

“The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a valuable part of the Girl Scout experience. The skills girls gain truly helps them develop into future business leaders,” says Linda Wright, CEO for Girl Scouts- Joshua Tree Council, operating in Bakersfield. “It is always exciting to see girls developing skills they might not realize they are developing while it is happening.”

Proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program also go to support programs for girls and training for volunteers across the area. Just this year, Girl Scout was able to purchase enough CPR mannequins and materials to provide CPR and First-Aid training to 300 girls and adults each year.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls in unique ways. For example, this activity is a chance to build self-esteem. A shy girl can get over her fear of approaching people by working at a booth with her fellow Girl Scouts or going door to door in her neighborhood with other girls from her troop. A girl who might feel she isn’t good with numbers can build her confidence by keeping track of sales and learning to make change.  

“Participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program has definitely made me more confident,” said Elizabeth, a Girl Scout Junior. “I know I am learning things that will help me when I go to get a job.”