by Maddie Parise
As January transitions into February, there is one event at the forefront of the minds of many: Girl Scout cookie season is here. Many customers, scouts and their families have looked forward to this annual fundraiser for Girl Scouts of America (GSOA) since their season ended in 2016. However, the Girl Scouts, both young and old, are back in their vests and sashes to bring Thin Mints and Samoas to the eager patrons.
“I like that we get to sell cookies, that’s really fun,” 12-year-old Ella of the Holy Family Troop 10065 said. “It helps us with business.”
The local troop is run primarily off of cookie sales and brings life-building skills and life-changing memories to girls of most ages.
Colorado Mesa University professor and proud Scout father Vincent Patarino said he has witnessed first hand the powerful effects of a child in the GSOA program. Patarino was involved with his sons activities in the Boy Scouts of America program and later convinced his wife to enroll her daughter, Sage (now 15), in the Redlands GSOA troop.
“[GSOA worked in] creating a person who is more responsible, giving, and compassionate of those around her,” Patarino said of Sage. “She’s learned to embrace other people.”
GSOA’s mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character. They want to provide the proper skills and experiences to girls who they believe will make the world a better place.
“[GSOA has taught me] how to be courageous and speak up,” Ella said as she sat at a cafeteria table surrounded by her fellow cadets, many of which noted that they became GSOA members because they had friends in the program. They believe learning things with their friends makes it all more fun.
The troops have worked on several volunteer projects within the community as well as participated in recreational activities like rafting on the Colorado River in order to build this mindset for the young girls who pass through the program.
“I like the community service and that we can help our community,” 13-year-old Alesia, who has been a GSOA member for about 10 years, said.
The troop also has an upcoming day where members focus on foreign countries and learn about different cultures. In addition to this aspect of diversity exploration, some members of the troop say they will be going to Belize in 2018 to tour Mayan ruins and participate in community service.
Troop leader Victoria Gigoux says the troop plans to sell lots of Girl Scout cookies to get [them] there!”
She encourages readers to purchase cookies from the troop in order to make their Belize trip possible.
Patarino’s youngest daughter, Abby (7), is also a member of the Holy Family troop and has received support and character-building skills from her leaders, with help from her father.
To Patarino, Girl Scouts means treating others well, using a sisterhood to empower young girls and developing a good sense of selves and identity.
Although, he admits that empowering girls tends to work best with women, so he works more on the sidelines of Abby’s involvement as well as with Sage’s when she was involved with the program.
“I’m the one who makes sure she gets to her meetings,” Patarino said. He also assists in GSOA’s biggest fundraiser; he recalled the lemonade-stand-style booth he and his daughter set up in the backyard to sell cookies for hours.
“I like to be a part of that process,” Patarino said. “[I] spend time connecting with my daughter […] in a way it makes us closer, if for no other reason than she’s a part of a family legacy [of scouts].”
Sales have evolved for many girl scouts as they grow within the program. Where as, before cookies were traditionally sold in front of shopping centers from booths ran by the Scouts. Members now have the option of using their own digital site to sell Girl Scout cookies to friends and family who live far away.
GSOA has taught many the skills and mindsets necessary to change the world. The development of sisterhood was clear from their meeting, which began with the Girl Scout Promise and Pledge of Allegiance. Daisies and Brownies (different levels of GSOA) sat in tight circles and discussed life lessons and what it means to be a good person.
There is certainly more to GSOA than their annual fundraiser, but that doesn’t stop Scouts from getting excited about sharing their love for each other (and cookies) and contributing to the continuation of Troop 2214.
“Buy Girl Scout cookies,” Ella said. Cookies will continue to be for sale until March 12.
