Here Come the Girl Scouts and the Thin Mints

Girls in familiar green and brown uniforms will be knocking on Minnetonka doors beginning Saturday, selling the cookies that have become an American icon.

“Thin Mints are my best seller,” said Alexa Shinler. The Scenic Heights fourth grader hopes to sell at least 110 boxes of cookies.

Jenna Lulling is a fan of peanut buttery Tagalongs. The sixth grader’s goal is to sell 2,000 boxes. She expects most of her sales to be Thin Mints and Samoas.

Emilie Perman hopes to sell 100 boxes of cookies. Perman doesn’t have a favorite flavor because she has never tried them due to a gluten allergy. If Girl Scouts offered a gluten-free cookie, she said, she would like it to be Thin Mints.

In addition to the traditional flavors, customers will see a new cookie called Savannah Smiles. The lemony wedges dusted in powdered sugar are offered this year only to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts, founded in Savannah, GA in 1912.

This is Isabelle Seran’s first year selling cookies.  

“She is excited because she loves the idea of doing something ‘big kids’ do,” said mom Renee Seran. “She really loves to earn badges. The badges are huge currency with the girls.”

The first grader will get help from big sister Carolyn, a seasoned cookie seller.

“Carolyn will go anywhere and talk to anyone to sell a box of cookies,” said Renee Seran. “She’ll go door-to-door, make phone calls to family and friends, come to work with mom and dad and work a cookie booth at the hardware store.” 

Last year, Carolyn’s troop sold nearly 1,500 boxes of cookies. About one-third of those were Thin Mints, although Carolyn’s personal favorite is Samoas.

Her no-fail strategy? “Spread the news before sales start to let your regular customers know you’ll be selling soon,” said the third grader.

Other experienced Girls Scouts are happy to share their tips.

“It's good to sell on a really cold day because not many other Girl Scouts are out and lots of people are at home staying warm,” said fifth grader Emily Clear. She hopes to sell 250 boxes.

Nine-year-old Alena Milligan plans to sell at least 75 boxes. “Use please and thank you, and collect phone numbers so you can call to see if they would like more cookies,” she suggested. “And wear your uniform.”

“The girls gain life skills from cookie sales,” said mom Kim Milligan. “Skills like goal setting, money management, people skills and decision-making.”

“They are basically running their own business for the couple of months of the sale,” said troop leader Brandy Lulling. “They are responsible for everything from marketing to money-handling. These are skills that will be invaluable to them no matter what path they choose for their future.”

Each troop determines how it will use sales proceeds.

“We would like to go on a trip to Chicago and also adopt an animal from the zoo,” said Jenna Lulling.

Carolyn Seran’s troop is saving for their first camping trip.

“We'll most likely purchase items like animal food, toys and cat litter for the Humane Society,” said Kim Milligan. “We’ll also donate cookies to the ICA food shelf.”

As cookie sales wind down, the troops will be gearing up for the centennial anniversary celebration with Girl Scouts from across the U.S. at the Mall of America March 10-11.