Can You Taste Those Cookies?

The 2013 Girl Scout Cookie Program is here!

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) will kick off the cookie program January 11-13 during the first Cookie Booth Weekend of the season. At these Cookie Booths, customers can purchase cookies directly from girls at various locations throughout southern Illinois.

Traditional cookie order taking begins on January 12 and continues through February 2, with Girl Scouts taking orders for the treats, which will be delivered in early March. Customer demand for Girl Scout Cookies following delivery has been high historically, so additional Cookie Booth Weekends will be held March 15-17, March 22-24, April 5-7 and April 12-14.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country and generates immeasurable benefits for girls and their communities. Girls who participate in the 2013 Girl Scout Cookie Program benefit from “learning by earning” and develop five valuable life skills – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Girls
then use their proceeds to support their chosen activities for the year, to fund community service and leadership projects, to attend summer camp or to travel to destinations near and far. In addition, proceeds from the program help GSSI recruit and train adult volunteers, provide financial assistance so Girl Scouting is available to all girls, improve and maintain camp properties and develop and deliver extensive program activities for girls.

The Girl Scout Mission is: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Today’s Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts, but they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork. Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of
girls working together.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves 14,000 girls and 4,800 adult volunteers in more than 40 counties in southern Illinois. Girl Scouting has inspired more than 50 million girls and women since its founding in 1912. Girl Scouting is focused on providing a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience for girls in the 21st century, while ensuring the traditions and values that have been core to Girl Scouting since its beginning remain strong and relevant.

Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways throughout the region. Girl Scouts is a United Way agency.