Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast (GSCCC), announced the start of the 2017 cookie season beginning Feb. 4, which marks the 100th year of the first known sale of cookies by Girl Scouts.
A century ago, girls started participating in what would evolve into the largest entrepreneurial training program for girls in the world, the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Through the program, girls learn essential early skills they need to manage finances, gain self-sufficiency, and develop confidence in handling money. To commemorate this banner year for the organization, new Girl Scout S’mores cookies have been launched.
The sale of cookies by Girl Scouts had humble beginnings, born as a way for troops to finance activities. The first known sale of cookies by Girl Scouts occurred in 1917, when the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Okla., baked cookies and sold them as a service project. It is estimated that cookies began selling as early as the late 1920s along California’s Central Coast. As the Girl Scout Cookie Program developed and evolved, it not only became a vehicle for teaching five essential skills—goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics—but it also enabled collaboration among girls and troops of diverse backgrounds as they worked together toward common goals.
“Today, the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program still fuels adventures for girls – continuing as an invaluable activity that fosters entrepreneurism, helping girls to take the lead in powering their experiences and service to community,” said Jody Skenderian, Interim CEO of Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast. “And, we are thrilled to introduce new Girl Scout S’mores cookies to tie-in with the 100th year of the first known sale of cookies by Girl Scouts – supporters are going to love them!”
All of the net revenue raised through the Girl Scout Cookie Program—100 percent of it— stays with the local council and troops. With over 50 million households purchasing cookies every season, the irresistible treats can be found nationwide and will hold a beloved place in Americana for years to come, continuing to help girls take the lead and, ultimately, change the world.
Girl Scout Cookies not only help Girl Scouts earn money for fun, educational activities and community projects, but also play a huge role in guiding girls to discover their inner G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) as they learn essential life skills that will stay with them forever.
With the emergence of the Internet, girls were eager to harness the power of technology to expand their communication channels. Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast conducted an early successful pilot in 2014, offering a mobile strategy making it possible for girls to be e-entrepreneurs in managing their cookie business with easy online ordering, credit card processing and shipping available.
The 2017 Girl Scout cookie line-up for Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast includes beloved traditions, along with the new offerings Girl Scout S’mores,Thin Mints, Lemonades ,Thanks-A-Lot, Trios (GF), Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, and Shortbread at $5 per box.
The celebration of 100 years of Girl Scouts selling cookies will kick into high gear during National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend 2017 from Feb. 24 to 26. To find cookies available along California’s Central Coast, visit the cookie finder: www.girlscoutcookies.org. To join or volunteer, visit www.girlscouts.org/join and www.girlscouts.org/volunteer.
About GSCCC
Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast serves over 10,400 girls across six counties and is committed to making the Girl Scout Leadership Experience available to girls in ways that impact their lives both in the moment and into the future. Girls participate in troops, individual projects, council events, day camps and more. A variety of leadership, outdoor skills, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) based programs and events provide girls with opportunities to learn and explore in fun and informative ways. To join or volunteer in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura County, visit: http://www.girlscoutsccc.org.