Southern Utah Girl Scouts share sweet business lessons

ST. GEORGE — ‘Tis the season of Thin Mints and Tagalong cookies. Girl Scout Cookie booths are now open in Southern Utah. This annual fundraiser helps local Girl Scouts learn scrumptious business lessons and be part of the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world.

A family affair

Girl Scouts aren’t just for girls. Just ask Salem Stanley, cookie product manager for Troop 301 in Washington County. Stanley started as a volunteer troop leader for the Girls Scouts Daisy program, which serves girls ages 5-7. This month, Stanley is busy placing orders, distributing cookies for booth sales and handling the accounting for this annual fundraiser. Stanley said his troop earns 70 cents for each box of cookies they sell.

“We don’t have dues anymore, at least at this time,” Stanley said. “We have funds to operate.”

Sign at Girl Scout Cookie Booth, St. George, Utah, March, 2022 | Photo by Adele Park, St. George News

Megan Stanley, one of the leaders for Troop 301, said the program is about much more than just selling the popular cookies. Girl Scout participants learn how to set goals and operate as an entrepreneur.

“It teaches them how to interact with people out in the real world,” Megan Stanley said. “It teaches them how to run a business and how to manage money.”

The Girl Scout cookie program teaches young entrepreneurs five specific business skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.

Goal setting

Girl Scouts are taught to run their cookie sales like a regular business. Each Scout sets a goal for the fundraiser and keeps track of their progress.

“My personal goal is 900 boxes or more,” said 9-year old Emily, a Girl Scout from Troop 301. “I set it because I want to sell a bunch of cookies.”

Last year, Emily sold more than 1,000 boxes, as did her sister, 12 year old Katie. The cookie sale not only benefits the entire troop, but each scout also reaps the rewards. Katie said she looks forward to earning a lot of cookie credits this year.

Washington County Girl Scouts Katie and Emily, Washington, Utah, March, 2022 | Photo by Adele Park

“I plan on using it at Girl Scout Camp and getting a bunch of prizes,” Katie said. “Last year I got a blanket.”

Delectable donations

Girl Scout cookies are special because they are only available once a year, making the donation program to the Utah Food Bank even more sweet. The Gift of Caring program allows the public to donate cookies to those who might otherwise not be able to afford these treats.

Callie Birdsall-Chambers, Chief Marketing and Membership Officer for the Girl Scouts of Utah, said anyone who wishes to donate cookies may do so through their online Digital Cookie platform.

“We have over 23,820 boxes donated so far with donations continuing to come in,” Birdsall-Chambers said. “Cookies are picked up by the Utah Food Bank in April.”

Girl Scout Cookies, St. George, Utah, March, 2022 | Photo by Adele Park, St. George News

Here today, eaten tomorrow

Although Girl Scout Cookies are only available for about six weeks out of the year, there are lots of ways the public can enjoy them. Individual Girl Scouts still sell cookies the old fashioned way by going door to door. Cookie booths are popping up all over Southern Utah until the end of the month, and people can also order through the Digital Cookie platform.

To find a booth or learn more about the program, visit the Girl Scouts of Utah website.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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