It’s hard to resist a box or two of Girl Scout cookies when you go to the grocery store for just one thing. Forget about the calories; your small purchase helps both your taste buds and Girl Scout members.
The season of Girl Scout cookie selling starts in January and ends in April. With 11 iconic flavors each with their own distinct taste, you can’t say no to these nostalgic treats.
The History of Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts began in 1912, a time when women were not allowed to vote in the United States and expected to stick to social norms. Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, started the organization in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia.
The first ever troop included 18 girls, all who wanted to make a difference in the world.
Their famously known cookies began in 1917 when members and their moms baked in their homes. The Mistletoe Troop in particular baked cookies to sell in its high school cafeteria as a service project.
In 1951, the cookies had evolved into three types: Shortbread, Sandwich, and Chocolate Mints; which are now known as Thin Mints. This development made the cookies more popular, giving their appearances in malls and grocery stores.
Now, there are 10 million Girl Scouts in the U.S., as referenced on Girlscouts.org. Through animal shelter volunteering and exploring the wilderness, these girls learn valuable life skills that will last a lifetime. Plus, Girl Scouts acts as a safe place for you to be yourself and find everlasting friendships.
Flavors & Where to Find ‘Em
Girl Scouts are typically found selling cookies outside of grocery stores and local businesses. Some are even welcomed at college campuses. It’s safe to say they know their target audience. When you find yourself grocery shopping, how could you say no to their sweet smiles and delicious cookies? A box won’t hurt.
While some original flavors are still around, they’ve also welcomed new members. Prices range from about $5-7 per box, depending on the troop and your area, and come with countless cookies that are bound to please your cravings. All proceeds go towards the troops and funds their next learning adventure.
- Adventurefuls: A brownie-inspired cookie with caramel creme and a touch of sea salt.
- Caramel Chocolate Chip: A chewy, gluten free caramel cookie with semisweet chocolate chips.
- Samoas/Caramel deLites: A crisp cookie coated with caramel and coconut, topped with chocolate drizzle.
- Peanut Butter Sandwich/Do-si-dos: An oatmeal sandwich cookie with a peanut butter filling to hold it together.
- Exploremores: The newest edition of the 2026 season, a sandwich cookie with almond, marshmallow, and chocolate flavored creme.
- Lemonades: A shortbread cookie with lemon flavor icing.
- Lemon-Ups: Similar to the Lemonades, but with engraved messages that act as a sweetener instead of icing.
- Peanut Butter Patties/Tagalongs: A cookie layered with peanut butter and dipped in a chocolate coating.
- Thin Mints: A chocolate cookie finished with a mint-chocolate coating.
- Toffe-tastic: Another gluten free, buttery cookie with crunchy toffee pieces.
- Trefoils: A shortbread cookie inspired from the original Girl Scout recipe.
Not only do the cookies held fund their trips and services, but also teaches Girl Scouts educational skills. When I was buying cookies, the young girls themselves were calculating the totals for my friends and I.
Looking to find troops near you? Put your zip code into the Girl Scout website to see your closest cookie sale. If you want them delivered to your door, you can also find them here on Amazon.
How to Join
New members are welcome to start at any point, though each grade and age has a level.
- Daises: Kindergarten and first grade
- Brownies: Second to third grade
- Juniors: Fourth and fifth grade
- Cadettes: Sixth to Eighth grade
- Seniors: Ninth and tenth grade
Once members reach eleventh and twelfth grade, they hold the “ambassador” title which leads to receiving the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts.
Each Girl Scout receives an official uniform to distinguish which level they are in. Coming in different colors and as either a vest, sash, or tunic, the uniforms also act as a display for badges and pins the girls receive. The best part? There’s no specific “format” for the pins! It’s up to the girls as to how they’d like to organize their badges.
The next time you pass a cookie stand, don’t hesitate to snag a box. Your purchase supports an organization that empowers young members and keeps Girl Scout traditions alive for generations to come.
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