Girl Scouts cookie season is officially underway, with pop-up sales tables found outside grocery stores throughout the area. The Cookie Program, which officially ends in the DFW area on Feb. 25, provides an opportunity for Girl Scouts to develop entrepreneurial skills that can be used for the rest of their lives.

“I have learned a lot from selling girl scout cookies,” Girl Scouts, junior Lauren Pratt said. “The cookie program has given me a lot more confidence when interacting with adults which is huge. When you’re in elementary school, having to go up to strangers and ask them to buy cookies is really intimidating. But with repetition, you get more comfortable and it’s a life skill that has come in handy more and more as I’ve gotten older.”

The program promotes five major life skills according to the Girl Scouts – goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics – with hope to help participants grow into successful adults. 

Humanities teacher Beth Evans saw these skills in action when she bought cookies.

“[Selling cookies] gives them an opportunity to learn and to talk to people,” Evans said. “It’s intimidating to talk to people, and a lot of times it’s adults, and you’re having to put yourself out there and ask them if they want to buy. I think especially social media and technology and whatnot really has made it harder for people to have the gumption to talk face to face to people and I think that’s one good reason the Cookie Program promotes face-to-face interaction.”

Cookie Season also brings Redhawks together through the buying and selling of baked goods, as well as fostering an environment of unity and community.

“I love seeing how excited people get when they realize it’s that time of year again,” Pratt said. “People will get them for each other as gifts. It’s just so fun to see everyone’s love for Girl Scouts cookies”

In recent years the Girl Scouts have also launched an online platform where people can use the Cookie Locator to locate in-person booths, which makes cookies more accessible through technology while simultaneously promoting the entrepreneurial spirit of Girl Scouts.

“I like using the Cookie Locator because it’s super helpful because it’s based off of zip code which I think is really cool,” sophomore Audrey Swallow said. “I also love the fact that it shows  you when the booths are set up at grocery stores so you can go buy them and won’t miss Cookie Season.”

Though the Cookie Program itself has changed over the years, the goal has remained the same – to bring people together through baked goods and create a good experience for both customers and Scouts.

“Selling cookies has been a lot of fun,” Pratt said. “I have learned a lot and have enjoyed all of the experiences and memories I have made. My mom and I still joke about all of the crazy interactions we have had at booth sales over the years.”