I’m fascinated by Girl Scout cookie time – fascinated by the dedication of the Troops selling them each weekend throughout the city; I’m fascinated by the mom’s helping to sell their daughter’s cookies; but mostly I’m fascinated by the lessons learned by Girl Scout cookie time. And wouldn’t you just know that as I was talking about Girl Scout cookies with Women’s Fund I learned something new about the organization… they helped create a Girl Scout Badge.First, lessons learned:
- Education: My sister, a proud Troop leader and “cookie mom”, believes that selling cookies teaches the girls key business and communication skills. Not only are they learning to be confident in their communications skills (they can really work a deal at the grocery stores), but they are learning key business lessons as they sell cookies to support field trips and Troop activities (the more they sell, the more they earn).
- Philanthropy: A friend’s daughter showed me that cookie time teaches girls the value of philanthropy and community service. With just a few boxes left to sell, and knowing I had already purchased my fair share of cookies, she asked if I would be willing to donate cookies to military troops. She proceeded to tell me how the men and women overseas would enjoy a package of Girl Scout cookies as a special treat and a thank you for their service. I ended up buying three more boxes.
Now, about the badge and the connection with Women’s Fund. Women’s Fund actually helped create a Women’s Issue Patch that girls of all ages can earn. Girls explore topics such as staying healthy, caregiving responsibilities, philanthropy and finances. Click here to find out more about the badge and the activities girls can participate in to earn the Women’s Issue Patch.
In addition to the patch – and the purchase of numerous Girl Scout cookies, Women’s Fund has supported Girl Scouts of Central Indiana over the years. Grants to the organization have helped fund summer camp scholarships for girls, STUDIO 2B program for girls 11-17, volunteer trainings and Web enhancements.
Thankfully, Girl Scout cookie time isn’t year-round – my pocketbook and my waistline can’t afford it. However, the next time I’m asked to buy Thin Mints or Tagalongs, I’ll be reminded about the lessons the girls are learning and the role Women’s Fund of Central Indiana plays in supporting these future leaders.
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Maybe I should have been a girl’s scout. Not that I don’t know how to deal with businesses but the learning and fun at a very young age is just authentic.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have read this. Women all over the world should be well taken care of and funded. They are the fruit of life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for highlighting the educational components of the Girl Scout Cookie Sale Program. As you mentioned, this financial literacy program teaches girls how to set goals, work as a team, develop a budget, market/advertise a product, and manage money.
ReplyDeleteAs you may know from your own experiences, Girl Scouts is best positioned to offer girls the tools they need to be successful leaders now and throughout their lives. As a matter of fact, the new Girl Scout Leadership Experience encourages girls to take increasing responsibility for designing and implementing activities, which allows them to see how their actions impact the lives of others. This new strategic approach was developed to ensure that our longstanding tradition of offering exceptional leadership opportunities for girls continues well into the future.
In order to build leaders of today and tomorrow, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana strives to provide exceptional program activities that empower girls to develop their skills and voices to become successful and dynamic citizens. Our girls are so fortunate for the support of more than 18,000 Girl Scout volunteers, like your sister, who give their time and talents to help aid in the development of future community leaders.
Thanks again!
Deborah Hearn Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Central Indiana