A Delicious Cookie Season Adventure With My Daughter

If you are in the U.S., you know it OR you must have noticed it ... IT IS COOKIE SEASON!

For my many non-US friends and contacts, let me introduce the iconic tradition of Girl Scout Cookies;

Girl Scout Cookies started back in 1917, making them over a century old! While the first officially recognized national sales wouldn't happen until a bit later, in 1933, the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma, baked and sold cookies as a service project in their high school cafeteria that year. This marked the very first known sale by Girl Scouts;

• Girl Scout Cookies are a key part of the Girl Scout experience and a cherished annual tradition in the United States.
• Cookies are sold by Girl Scouts to raise funds for their troops and local councils.
• These are typically sold during a dedicated season, usually starting in January and running through March.
• Available in a variety of popular flavors, each with its own dedicated fanbase. Some current options include Thin Mints, Samoas/Caramel deLites, Tagalongs/Peanut Butter Patties, and new additions like Toast-Yay! and Adventurefuls. I MUST SAY … THESE TASTE REALLY GOOD.
• All Girl Scout Cookies are kosher and Halal certified, some varieties are gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
• Girl Scouts sell cookies door-to-door, but you can also find them at booths set up in grocery stores, malls, and other public locations.
• Some councils/troops participate in online sales programs, allowing cookies purchases cookies from dedicated websites.

Let’s talk about my 1st Cookie Season experience, one that I shared with my daughter … and I enjoyed very much.

As we received the first notes from the troop leaders that cookie season was about to start, I did not pay much attention as we were approaching the winter break and my focus was on our family trip to California, but as we were visiting San Francisco and Los Angeles, my daughter, Kimi, reminded me several times that cookie season was just around the corner … “Dad we need to get ready” … “What about the cookies?” she said/asked multiple times.

As soon as we came back home, this was her only focus … Her mum and I reviewed the info sheets that we received weeks ago, and decided that we would be taking it online (as our daughter’s troop offered that option in addition to the usual door-to-door or booth sales). That was the start of our 1st Cookie season! Setting up the website, recording Kimi’s voice for her sales pitch (I don’t remember how many times we recorded her voice, but it was a lot), writing a description, and reviewing the Girls Scout cookies resources/materials - it was a crash course in digital marketing with a fully dedicated and attentive Kimi. She wanted her cookie season to be a successful one.

Next came the communication blitz. Emails with personalized messages and a flurry of text messages to friends, family and extended family members - spreading the word about Kimi’s Girl Scout Cookies Business. Kimi learned the names of each cookie flavor, their ingredients, and eventually promoted with pride her preferred one, the Lemon-Ups. For me, Troop info sessions were another adventure as I was trying to get familiar with the Cookie Season operations, the troop recommendations and guidance (proceeds from cookie sales fund various activities and programs for Girl Scouts, including camping trips, community service projects, travel opportunities, and leadership development workshops).

As orders started rolling in, Kimi tracked them on my iPad, her eyes glued to the screen, asking me if we were making good progress to achieve her goal (one that was defined when setting up her online account). Every "purchased" notification brought a triumphant fist pump. Picking up/Receiving the cookies from our local troop leaders, packing them with care in bags, and personally delivering them to our neighbors was more than just logistics; it was building connections and spreading sweetness. She loved that!

The highlight, however, was participating in booth sales at our local Walmart grocery store and iHOP restaurant. Kimi, transformed into a little saleswoman extraordinaire. She was making sure that the booth sign would be visible, interacted with customers, and answered questions. Each sale was a victory, each interaction a lesson in communication and confidence.

I can confidently say that during the last few weeks, Kimi learned the value of responsibility, initiative, patience and perseverance. This wasn't just about Thin Mints and Samoas cookies; it was about building confidence, resilience, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Additionally, we experienced the joy of hard work, the thrill of working towards goals, and the satisfaction of contributing to something bigger than ourselves. And for me, the experience was a heartwarming reminder that fatherhood isn't just about providing; it's about learning, growing, and adventuring alongside your child.

So, remember, buying a Girl Scout Cookie isn't just about the treat. It's an investment in a young entrepreneur's future and a potential glimpse into a beautiful father-daughter partnership.

And hey, if you're in the US, it's not too late to help Kimi reach her goal! Check out her online store:

https://www.gsdigitalcookie.com/landing/0/742d182b-e0cd-47fe-82e7-f24f35d165a1/en-US/True

All the best,

Joe

About Girl Scouts:

https://www.girlscouts.org

https://www.girlscouts.org/en/cookies/cookie-history.html.

#girlscouts #cookieseason #girlpower #girlscoutcookies