The Cookie University, attended by nearly 50 of the 150 registered Girl Scouts on Kaua‘i, marked the start of the 2023 Girl Scout cookie sales campaign on the island.
“This is the first time we’re in-person since the COVID pandemic,” said Angela Hoover, the Girl Scouts Kaua‘i programs coordinator. “The Girl Scouts can accept pre-sale orders for delivery when the stocks arrive on-island in mid-February.”
The Cookie University, with an array of inter-active learning stations, is the latest offering by the Girl Scouts in arming the young ladies with information and skills to sell the exclusive Girl Scout cookie offerings during the sales period that opened nationally on Jan. 4, and will continue through the end of March, or while supplies last.
Proceeds from this nationally recognized, signature fundraiser held once a year go to benefit the Girl Scouts, troops and programs.
“All funds raised on Kaua‘i stay on Kaua‘i,” Hoover said. “The proceeds are used to help the young ladies with registration, uniforms and other expenses. The funds are also used to help with the Scouts’ service projects, and programs like the exploratory camp one troop enjoyed on a trip to O‘ahu.”
Girl Scouts will be armed with 10 flavors for shoppers to select from, including the latest flavor, Raspberry Rally, that is being offered online for direct shipment to buyers.
Other flavor choices include last year’s new flavor, Adventurefuls, and the most popular flavor, Thin Mints, described in a Girl Scout press release as the “sister” cookie to Raspberry Rally. These join Trefoils, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Lemon-Ups, Toffee-tastic, Girl Scout S’mores and Samoas.
Hoover said Girl Scout cookies are easy to purchase, with each box costing just $6 for the cookies that are created exclusively for the Girl Scouts.
The Kaua‘i shipment of cookies is scheduled to arrive on island in mid-February, after which time pre-sale orders will be delivered to customers.
The date marks the start of booth sales maintained by the troops, where customers are able to drop in and purchase cookies on the spot, depending on flavor availability. Booth sales, locations and dates will be available on the Girl Scout cookie finder website, and sales will continue through the remainder of the campaign.
The Girl Scout cookie program encourages girls to be risk takers, think outside the box and be confident in their own abilities, states the Girl Scout press release.
“Whether they’re working toward earning their Cookie Goal Setter badge as a Daisy, or their My Cookie Business Resume badge as an Ambassador, Girl Scouts are learning qualities crucial for all forms of leadership and life-skills,” the release continues. “The program embraces the understanding of the world of business, money management and entrepreneurship.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
