Wouldn’t It Be Caramel Delightful To Be A Girl Scout

While we celebrated black history month in February, that was also the time that the delicious, exclusive cookies arrived. Yes, Girl Scout cookie season has begun, and it is going by fast! I know most people have been anticipating seeing Girl Scouts selling cookies at local stores, or parents selling at work. Even students selling at school, but unfortunately the cookie boxes are emptying out. Because I am a Girl Scout, this is bittersweet for me. I have been selling Girl Scout cookies since elementary school, and I have always loved walking around my school taking cookie orders. I feel like I am the ultimate girl scout cookie salesperson! As I take preorders, I get the same recurring question: “When will the cookies arrive?” Unfortunately, I am unable to give a definitive answer, because I must place my cookie orders, wait for the cookies to arrive, and then sort the cookies. Sorting the cookies is probably the least exciting part of the process, especially when you have lots of preorders, plus extras. Once the cookies are sorted, it is time to distribute them to happy customers. It is a great feeling selling all my cookies and not having boxes scattered throughout the house. Even though selling cookies, earning badges, and camping is what Girl Scouts are most known for, that is not all that they do. Along their journeys, Girl Scouts will obtain skills from four areas of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Outdoors, Life Skills, and Entrepreneurship. In the “Think Like an Engineer” journey, girls learn how to think like an engineer by participating in hands-on design challenges and completing a Take Action project.

In my experience, camping with Girl Scouts from all over the state taught me teamwork skills, how to be safe when swimming, how to kayak, and how to have a fun fashion show. To make sure the girls are ready for the real world, they are provided many opportunities to learn about financial literacy, healthy living, participate in community service, and creating their own acts of service. Once a Girl Scout has learned and completed these skills, they are rewarded with a badge and other awards. An ideal way for Girl Scouts to experience entrepreneurship is through the tradition of selling cookies. Girls can develop a sales pitch, count change, practice selling to customers, and learn to work as a team to reach their goal. The cookie earnings can go towards a group trip or used to help their community.

In my years of being a Girl Scout, I have gained a sisterly bond with the girls in my troop and other troops throughout the state of South Carolina. We have done activities, such as camping, organizing a body image workshop, learning how to stay fit, and many more. If you are interested in Tagging Along to be a Girl Scout, all you must do is Do-Si-Do to the website (girlscouts.org), enter your zip code into the “Join” tab to find a troop near you, and join. Thanks a lot!