Girl Scout Cookies Are Here Again
This famous time of year, when one can purchase citrusy Lemonades, rich Thin Mints and creamy Tagalongs, is quite popular in these parts, especially in our household. Because the season doesn’t last very long, it’s always been our motto to purchase extra and stick them in the freezer for a later date. There is nothing quite like a frozen Thin Mints cookie to cool you off on a warm summer night, and nothing speaks deliciousness as much as a Trefoil cookie that has been dunked in a cup of hot coffee.
Tables have begun to pop up around Hicksville; I noticed a folding table set up in front of Macy’s in Broadway Mall, several weeks ago. Young girls were scattered about the table, holding up handmade oak tag signs with the announcement, “Girl Scout Cookies Sold Here!” Volunteer moms were not in short supply to take orders and assist potential customers with information about this year’s newest cookies. It’s a fun time of year that teaches girls about business skills and responsibilities to others.
I have always loved cookie season. When I was a young girl, I remember traveling door to door, gathering orders for my troop. At the time, we were required to wear a bright green dress with a felt sash and a tiny green beanie. I believe there were only a few varieties of cookie at the time, and Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils and Thin Mints were the clear favorites. A lot has changed since then; Girl Scouts of today wear a sash denoting their troop number and perhaps a badge or two, but the dresses and caps of yesteryear are, thankfully, gone.
When our daughter joined the Girl Scout organization, I had volunteered to become a “cookie mother.” This illustrious task held me responsible for all of the cookie orders for the entire troop. During the first year, a large tractor trailer pulled up in front of our house, and cartons of different varieties were unloaded into my awaiting dining room. Scouts from our troop would then arrive, their order forms in tow, and I would begin to distribute boxes of cookies to awaiting parents. The apparent joy on each scout’s face was so infectious that I decided to take the role again the following year. And while it took a lot of time and effort, I wouldn’t have changed that moment in my personal history for anything in the world.
Years have passed since our daughter was a Scout, and a new generation of Girl Scouts has arrived. One of our neighbors is our “cookie link” this year, which made my husband incredibly happy. As he pored over the order form, I could see he was a bit overwhelmed; this year’s offerings seem to be even greater than in years past. Each cookie sounded more delicious than the previous—there’s even a gluten free option for those with a sensitivity!
Whenever I see those cookie tables outside a supermarket, I recall fondly our own little cookie table that was stationed outside the Stop and Shop on Old Country Road. The scouts in our group were allowed to wear “cookie costumes,” which were a representation of the cookies that were being sold. The girls even made up a chant, which attracted customers. This year, I hadn’t noticed a single scout wearing a “Tagalong” jumpsuit. I suppose the costumes were also retired, along with the green Scout uniform.
Selling Girl Scout cookies enables young girls to learn about goal setting, decision making, money management, and business ethics. The next time you see a table set up, I’d encourage you to make a purchase. You won’t only get a sweet treat as your reward—you’ll be fostering lessons for a new generation of Girl Scouts that will last a lifetime.
