(Grand Rapids, Mich - January 24, 2013)- The famous Thin Mints remain, but Girl Scouts are giving their cookie boxes an overhaul to highlight the real purpose of the $790-million cookie program, which is to teach girls five essential life skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, business ethics, and people skills. To celebrate such a monumental program, this year Girl Scouts has named February 8 National Girl Scout Cookie Day. Girls will be asking 50 million cookie fans across the nation to buy or order more boxes in honor of their success in running the largest girl-led business enterprise in the world.
"Girl Scout cookies are an American icon, but it's more than just a sale - it's a program that teaches girls essential skills that they carry with them throughout their lives," explained Gloria Lara, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore. "There are many women, including several local business women, who got their start in business by participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program."
When it comes to skill building, statistics show the Girl Scout Cookie Program works. According to a survey from the Girl Scout Research Institute, 85 percent of Girl Scout "cookie entrepreneurs" learn money management by developing budgets, taking cookie orders, and handling customers' money. Eighty-three percent build business ethics; 80 percent learn goal setting; 77 percent improve decision making; and 75 percent develop people skills.
All the revenue earned from cookie activities-every penny after paying the baker-stays with the local Girl Scout council that sponsors the sale. Councils use cookie revenue to supply essential services to troops, groups, and individual girls, such as providing program resources and communication support, training adult volunteers, and conducting events. As part of their experience in any Girl Scout product activity, girls can earn official Girl Scout awards at every level of Girl Scouting, including cookie and financial literacy badges and the annual Cookie Activity Pin.
"We have lots of young entrepreneurs in our council who love participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. It provides these girls with opportunities to create their own businesses and work toward specific goals," said Lara. "Our girls are doing some amazing things with their cookie earnings from helping out local charities to taking trips across the globe."
In the first package design update since 1999, the 200 million Girl Scout cookie boxes sold annually now feature a new look that highlights the skills girls learn through the program. A new Girl Scouts of the USA marketing campaign reinforces this more contemporary message with the theme, "This Is What a Girl Can Do."
The 2013 Girl Scout Cookie Season in northern and western Michigan will run from January 18 through April 12, 2013. Girl Scout cookies are still $3.50 per box. The varieties include: Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils, Do-Si-Dos, Dulce de Leche, Thank U Berry Munch, Savannah Smiles, and Tagalongs.
For more information about the Girl Scout Cookie Program please visit:
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