Tacoma — If you’ve been wondering when you’ll be able to get your hands on Girl Scout cookies, you’ll be happy to hear that the season is here.
Girl Scouts of the USA officially announced the start of the cookie season, and there are many ways to get your hands on a box or maybe even a few boxes.
Girl Scouts in Western Washington began selling cookies on Jan. 19, and sales will continue until March 17, the Girl Scouts of Western Washington’s senior director of marketing and communications, Julie Parker, said in an email.
It’s clear that most people are OK with spending $6 on a box of cookies because they know how delicious Girl Scout cookies are, but also because it makes people feel good to support the Girl Scouts’ cause.
But have you ever wondered what actually happens to the money made from millions of cookies sold across the country?
We spoke to members of a Girl Scout troop from University Place who explained what they have been able to do with the money and what they plan to do in the future as they prepare for the 2024 cookie season.
Girl Scouts of Western Washington
The Girls Scouts of Western Washington is made up of 17 counties and is headquartered in Seattle.
Parker said that the Girl Scout Cookie Program is one of the largest youth-led and girl-led entrepreneurial programs in the world and serves as a hands-on experience for teaching girls how to make business decisions and how to set goals.
“Every box of cookies sold provides invaluable experiences for Girl Scouts — such as service projects, international travel, and outdoor adventure,” Parker said.
Katie Evans, a troop leader of Girl Scout Troop 43749, said that the troop based in University Place is self-sustaining due to annual cookie sales and that the money from cookie sales benefits the entire troop.
“There’s never any pressure on the girls to sell cookies. That is absolutely optional, and I explain that every single year to the parents. They do not have to sell it if they don’t want to,” Evans said. “The goals are their own, and we help them with their goals if they want to do this. But nothing bad happens to them if they choose not to sell it. It’s all troop money, so it all benefits everybody.”
Girls Scouts who choose to participate in cookie sales are able to set their own goals and are able to earn individual rewards.
According to the 2024 Cookie Reward Program, girls can earn badges, bandannas, T-shirts, bags, custom shoes and even a prepaid Cookie Dough reward card.
The money made from each box sold by a Girl Scout does not all go directly back to the troop. Instead the profits are split between the troop, the Girl Scouts of Western Washington Council, Girl Scouts of the USA and the baker.
Public in-person sales
Local Girl Scout will be selling cookies at booths outside grocery stores, retail storefronts and other approved partner locations across the region from March 1-17. The cookie sale will conclude on March 19.
If you’d like to support Girl Scout Troop 43749 or any other local troops, use the Cookie Finder website to find an in-person cookie booth in your area.
Digital public sale
Starting Friday, customers can order Girl Scout Cookies online from a local Girl Scout that can either be delivered to their doorstep or shipped directly to their preferred mailing address. Customers can donate online to Operation Cookie, which provides cookies to U.S. military service members.
The last day to place a cookie order online for in-person delivery by a local Girl Scout is March 11.
