The Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana have begun their yearly cookie sale, proceeds of which are directly returned to Girl Scout programming in the region and improvements at Camp Pennyroyal.
Last year Daviess County girl scouts sold 47,874 boxes of cookies, according to Brooke Slone, director of product sales and merchandising, and they hope to meet their 2019 goal of 50,000 boxes.
Slone said while the girls of Daviess County want to sell as many boxes as possible, they specifically want to sell s’mores — crunchy graham sandwich cookies with creamy chocolate and marshmallowy filling. These boxes cost $6, a dollar more than the typical cookie options. The extra dollar from the sale of a s’mores box goes directly to improvements at Camp Pennyroyal.
Located about 15 miles south of Owensboro, the 180-acre camp is one of seven in the council and the most centrally located. Pennyroyal includes an 8-acre lake, three year-round buildings, platform tents, screened cabins and primitive camping areas.
All other money raised from cookie sales is directed back into girl scout programming, where each troop decides how to use the funds. Slone said older girls may opt for service trips, while younger girls may use to go to camp.
Slone said while there has been a lot of confusion surrounding the cookie sale this year, there are no new flavors available. According to Slone, there are two vendors the Girl Scouts of America uses. Louisville-based Little Brownie Bakers supplies cookies to the Kentuckiana council and does not have a new flavor this year.
“We do offer the gluten free Toffee-tastic, which is doing really well,” Slone said. “It’s top of the line for gluten free.”
Although a new flavor may not be in the cookie line up this year, Samoas — the Daviess County and statewide favorite — certainly is. And the nationwide favorite — Thin Mints — are available as well.
“We are the only council that doesn’t have the same No. 1 cookie as the rest of the country,” Slone said.
Slone said they realize cookie sales come at a time when New Year’s resolutions may keep people from buying cookies. Slone encourages people to support Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana through Operation: Cookie. This is an initiative to donate cookies to US military overseas and at home.
Last year the Kentuckiana council sent nearly 30,000 boxes of cookies to Jordan.
“It really helps with morale when they [those in the military] see that box on Thin Mints,” Slone said.
Right now the girls are in the friends and family portion of the sale, meaning they are focusing on door to door and internet sales. Slone said booth sales, when you will see girls outside local retail locations, will begin March 1 and last through March 24.
Slone said if anyone wants cookies prior to that date but does not personally know a local girl scout or troop, they can call the council, who will connect them with someone in Daviess County.
Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana serves 20,000 girls and adult volunteers in 64 counties in Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Headquartered in Louisville, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana operates offices in Elizabethtown, Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, Girl Scouts develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. Their goal is to help girls discover themselves, connect with their communities and take action to make the world a better place.
