The deadline for the DARE TO SHARE challenge has been extended to March 14th.
Interested troops should submit designs to GSCM by March 14th. Click on Program Links to the left for more information about this challenge.

Dear Girl Scout Family,

Welcome to the 2007–2008 Girl Scout Program Year!

The stage has been set for girls to achieve a stellar performance this Cookie Season. This year’s show stopping theme puts girls as leaders in the spotlight. Whether on the stage or behind the scenes, girls learn that hits don’t just happen. They’re made ... through imagination, rehearsal, commitment, teamwork and the sharing of every person’s unique talents.

The Cookie Sale Program activity is directly related to our purpose of helping all girls realize their full potential to become strong, confident, and resourceful citizens. Through the sale girls are able to discover, connect and lead in and around their communities. Girls practice life skills such as goal setting, money management, and teamwork—all while having FUN!

Life Skills that last a Lifetime! Many successful business women today say they got their start selling Girl Scout Cookies. Girls practice useful life skills like planning, decision-making, and customer service. During cookie activities, girls are members of a team working towards a common goal, with each girl striving to do her best.

Girls are encouraged to set realistic goals, such as planning trips and community service projects. The proceeds earned from the sale directly connects to their overall goals and provides the funds necessary to support their activity choices. Participation in the sale is a key to success and instills service to the community and promotes the power of the Girl Scout Movement. When girls sell in the community consumers are supporting tomorrow’s business leaders. Check out the 2006-2007 Product Sales Committee Report for more information about the Cookie Sale.

It’s more than writing a check! All of the proceeds—every penny—from Girl Scouts of Central Maryland’s cookie activities remains in the area where the cookies are sold. This revenue is used to benefit girls, some of it directly by remaining in the Girl Scout troop/group treasury and some of it indirectly by subsidizing the cost of providing the Girl Scout program in our community. Through the Cookie Sale our council is able to recruit and train volunteer leaders for troops and provide the financial assistance needed to make Girl Scouting available for all girls-in 2007–2008 we will provide $3,294,131.00 to improve and maintain our four camp properties, offer program activities to members at a reasonable cost, sponsor special events and pro je cts, and much more!

Great Program – Great Cookies! Our customers are in for a treat this year! New to the star-studded line up this year are two new cookies: Lemon Chalet Cremes-the height of lemon flavor uniquely designed to feature Our Chalet, this delicious vanilla sandwich has a hint of cinnamon-ginger spice and a refreshing zesty lemon crème filling; and Sugar Free Chocolate Chip-with all of the taste and none of the sugar, this is a classic favorite with real chocolate chips! Customers get a great product and get to support girls in their own community. All of the proceeds support Girl Scouting in the local community.

This year’s theme, “Make It A Hit!” will help you realize the importance of Girl Scouting in your daughter’s life! Thank you for your continued support of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and most importantly your daughter. Are you ready? Lights! Camera! Cookies!

Sincerely,

If y ou can imagine it, you can achieve it. MAKE IT A HIT! Be sure to check out the goal setting activity to help your daughter realize her goals and dreams today!
	Girl Scout Cookies are an icon of American culture. They’re also the backbone of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, the leading entrepreneurial program for girls
Girl Scouts and cookies share a rich history. While recipes and box designs have changed, selling cookies remains an important part of today's Girl Scout program. http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_cookies/cookie_history/