Girl Scouts of Central Texas (GSCTX) has entered the cookie season with their annual Girl Scout Cookie Program which began on January 15th and runs through February 22nd.  The cookie sales are expected to raise over 8 million dollars in the Central Texas area for Girl Scout programming.

“Our annual cookie drive is so much more than selling cookies to fund events or activities,” said GSCTX CEO, Lynelle McKay. “This financial literacy program teaches our girls goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics—knowledge that is essential for leadership, for success, and for life.”

Each season, Girls Scouts in the United States sell almost 200 million packages of Girl Scout cookies. In Central Texas last year, Girl Scouts sold over 2 million boxes across 46 counties, raising over 8.7 million dollars. The average Girl Scout in Central Texas sold 187 boxes. All money raised through the sale stays in Central Texas.

Girl Scouts are selling 6 flavors of cookies this year, all of which are trans-fat and cholesterol-free. This season’s new cookie is Savannah Smiles, a zesty, crispy, powder sugar-coated lemon cookie that’s bound to become a classic. It joins perennial best seller Thin Mints, which typically outsells Oreos in the first quarter of the year.

There is also the sale of the “7th Box” whereby a customer may purchase a box of cookies and donate it back to our military or our local first responders. Anyone can be part of Operation Cookie, which is a nationwide effort.

Girl Scouts spend months preparing for this time of year as they attend workshops that teach them the essentials of running a business, with an emphasis on setting and working toward a goal, speaking confidently, managing money responsibly, practicing safety and providing high-quality customer service.

Customers are encouraged to engage in conversation with the scouts and ask them about their business. By answering questions, Girl Scouts develop confidence in themselves and their ability to succeed. Confident girls become leaders who make the world a better place, thus achieving the mission of Girl Scouts.

Information about Girl Scouts, including how to register, can be found at http://www.gsctx.org. Cookie booth locations can be found at both http://www.gsctx.org and through the Girl Scout cookie finder app, available for iPhone and Android OS.

Girl Scouts of Central Texas serves more than 14,000 girls in grades K-12 and over 10,000 adult volunteers in 46 Central Texas counties. Headquartered in Austin, Girl Scouts of Central Texas has service centers in Brownwood, Bryan/College Station, Killeen, San Angelo, Stephenville, Temple and Waco. Through outcomes-based leadership opportunities, girls discover their own potential, connect with others and take action to improve their communities. Girl Scouting offers an array of fun, educational programs focusing on fine arts, science and technology, math, the environment, community service, leadership, and life skills. Girl Scouts lead with courage, confidence and character, to make the world a better place. For more information, visit http://www.gsctx.org.