Girl Scout Cookie Sale Kick-Off

SIDNEY – Area Girl Scouts spent Thursday night at Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp getting fired up to sell cookies – a right of passage for most Girl Scouts.

Leyton and Sidney Girl Scouts, numbering more than 100, geared up for their most anticipated money-maker of the year.

The 2010 Girl Scout Cookie Program kicked off Jan. 8 with door-to-door cookie sales, as young ladies prepared to offer an assortment of flavors to raise money for their organization.

According to local Girl Scout Leader Elizabeth Hutches, cookies will be delivered the week of Feb. 22.

“This teaches them to manage money and look at themselves as strong, young women,” Hutches said of the benefit of the cookie program.

“They raise their own money for activities and parties,” she said. “It reminds them that they are all in this together.”

The design of the cookie program is to teach girls to take leadership roles and be confident in their communication with others.

“Everyone looks forward to the arrival of Girl Scout Cookies,” said Fran Marshall, Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska CEO in a press release. “It is a beloved tradition that reminds us of our youth. They are the ultimate comfort food.”

Funds generated from the cookie program help with projects, special events, volunteer training and keep Girl Scout camps in good running condition state and nationwide.

“Our annual Cookie Program is a time-tested, accessible way for Girl Scouts to acquire the building blocks of good business practices,” Marshall said. “They learn to set goals, manage money, work with a team and practice good customer service, skills they will be using for the rest of their lives.”

Cookie flavors include Thin Mints, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Peanut Butter Patties, Caramel deLites, Thanks-A-Lots, Lemonades, and reduced fat Daisy-Go-Rounds.

Residents have until Jan. 24 to order cookies from a Girl Scout.