New Scout Cookies: Gluten-Free Treats Added To Girl Scouts’ 98-Year-Old Tradition [Video]
New Scout cookies are added to the 98-year-old tradition of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Every year since 1917, the Girl Scouts sell cookies as one of their major fundraiser for local scout groups. This week, the Girls Scouts of U.S.A. announced they would debut three new Scout cookies this coming season.
The Girls Scouts are an American icon. On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low brought together 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, for a local Girl Scout meeting. Juliette believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop mentally, physically, and spiritually.
The goal of the Girl Scouts was to bring girls out of isolated home environments and into open air and community service. The Girl Scouts went on camping trips, played basketball, studied first aid, learned how to tell time by reading the stars, and hiked.
Today, more than 3.2 million girls and adult members of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Additionally, over 59 million women in the U.S. are Girl Scout alumnae.
The Girl Scouts’ blog announced the following about the new Scout cookies.
“For the first time in Girl Scout history, gluten-free cookies will be available nationwide from most Girl Scout councils. The two new gluten-free offerings include Toffee-tastic, buttery cookies with toffee bits, and Trios, made with real peanut butter, chocolate chips, and whole grain oats. The third new cookie, Rah-Rah Raisins, is an oatmeal raisin cookie with whole grain oats, plump, juicy raisins, and Greek yogurt–flavored chunks. The newcomers will join legendary classics like Thin Mints and Samoas/Caramel deLites.”
In addition, for the first time in one-hundred years, the Girl Scouts started offering their famous cookies online. On Dec. 12, 2014, people started going online to purchase Girl Scout cookies, like Tagalongs, Samoas, Thin Mints, and more. Girl Scouts can now sell their cookies, including the new Scout cookies, through a mobile app and personalized cookie websites.
One-hundred percent of the net revenue earned from the sale of traditional and new Scout cookies will still stay with the local council that sponsors the fund drive; however, purchases can now be made from home using a credit card.
Girl Scouts CEO, Anna Maria Chávez, provided a statement to ABC News.
“For almost a century, the Girl Scout Cookie Program has been teaching girls to be leaders in the world of business and finance, and we intend to ensure that legacy continues in the digital age. Digital Cookie is a game-changer for Girl Scouts, and a quantum leap forward in the evolution of the cookie program, coupling traditional sales activities with an online sales experience that teaches skills like online marketing and ecommerce, all in a digital space that puts an emphasis on learning, fun, and safety.”
Starting February 27 to March 1, 2015, National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend will take place. Girls across the country will sell traditional and new Scout cookies door to door, through Digital Cookie, and at booths.
The 2015 Cookie Weekend marks the 98th year of Girl Scouts selling their traditional cookies and learning the basic skills and insight they will require to be leaders in business and sales, manage their personal and family finances, and achieve confidence and self-sufficiency managing money.
Millions of Americans welcome the new Scout cookies, as well as the traditional treats and hard work of the Girl Scouts and their supporters. The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. is dedicated to every girl, everywhere.
[Image courtesy of Girl Scouts Louisiana East]
