It’s Girl Scout cookies time!

The wait is over! Girl Scouts throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington are now selling all of your Girl Scout cookie favorites at booths in front of local retailers.

All eight varieties return for 2014 – Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Trefoils, Thank U Berry Munch, Dulce de Leche and Savannah Smiles. Cookies are $4 per box.

While almost everyone knows about Thin Mints and Samoas, few know about the valuable life skills learned through the Girl Scout Cookie Program. Girls learn how to run a small business by actually running a small business. These young “Cookie Bosses” develop five skills through participation:

Goal setting – Girls set individual and troop sales goals, and work together as a team to reach them. Knowing how to set and reach goals prepares girls for success in school, on the job, and in life. Decision making – Girls decide where and when to sell cookies, how to market their sale, and what to do with their earnings. The decision making process is girl-led, and often made in a team environment. Girls use proceeds to fund life-changing experiences such as camp or travel, and to fund important community service projects. Many girls choose to donate cookies or a portion of their proceeds to causes that matter to them such as food pantries, animal shelters, children’s hospitals, police, fire and military personnel, and more. Money management – Girls develop a budget, take cookie orders, and handle customers’ money. A 2012 Girl Scout Research Institute study showed that 90 percent of girls surveyed say it’s important for them to learn to manage money, but just 12 percent of girls feel very confident about making financial decisions. The practice and experience gained through the Cookie Program helps girls feel more confident managing their lunch money and allowance today, and prepares them for confidently managing a paycheck in the future. People Skills – Girls learn how to talk (and listen!) to customers, as well as how to work as a team with other girls. These skills matter on the playground, on sports teams, in group projects, and eventually in the workplace. Business ethics – Girls act honestly and responsibly, living the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law during the program. Learning to act responsibly is important, as future employers want to hire ethical employees – and the world needs ethical leaders in every field.

Customers can help girls develop these skills simply by buying their favorite Girl Scout cookies! To find a booth sale nearby, customers can use the Cookie Locator app available for iPhone or Android, or type their zip code into the Cookie Locator at girlscoutsosw.org. Girl Scout cookie sales end on March 9, so act fast before they’re gone!