Craving Thin Mints?

It’s that time of year … Girl Scout cookies are here!

Girl Scouts are braving the cold weather to knock on doors all over Minnetonka and the West Metro, hawking treats that have become an American tradition.  

“Thin Mints are my best seller,” says Alexa Shinler of Troop 14390 of Minnetonka.  “They’re great crushed over ice cream.”  The Scenic Heights third grader plans to sell at least 120 boxes of cookies.

Jenna Lulling of Troop 10977 hopes to sell 2,000 boxes, exceeding her troop’s goal of 150 boxes per girl.   “It helps to make eye contact and be confident,” says Lulling.  The 11-year-old was recently named “Cookie Spokesperson” by the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys council.

This year, girls will have cookies on hand, so customers don’t have to wait for an order.  There are eight varieties of cookies priced at $3.50 per box.  Each troop decides how to use profits from cookie sales. Lulling’s troop will use their earnings for a camping trip and a community service project. 

“We’ll make sandwiches to donate to 363days, a group that passes out sandwiches to homeless people in Minneapolis,” explains Lulling.

“Last year, we used the money we earned to buy supplies to make lap quilts for Alzheimer’s patients,” says Troop 14390 leader Melissa Lego. Her troop’s most popular cookies are Thin Mints and Tagalongs.

Watching your diet? Customers have the option of donating cookies to a charity selected by the troop. 

“We’ll deliver those boxes to a food shelf,” says Emily Clear, 9, of Troop 10977.

And experienced Girl Scouts are happy to offer advice to newbies. 

“Go to a lot of people if you want to sell a lot of cookies,” advises 8-year-old Brooke Parten of Troop 13750.  Parten plans to sell 100 boxes. 

“Go with a girl who has sold cookies before to see how it’s done,” suggests Clear. She hopes to sell 150 boxes. Her personal favorites are Do-si-Dos and Thin Mints.

Carolyn Seran, 7, of Troop 14200 says, “Be persistent, friendly and start early.”  She sold 300 boxes last year and wants to sell 2,000 this year. Her best sellers are Thin Mints and Samoas.

For some girls, scouting runs in the family.  “I loved Girl Scouts,” says Carolyn’s mom Renee Seran. “By working on badges, I learned life skills like cooking, sewing, camping, and pet care.  I wanted to earn every badge in the handbook.”

“My mom was a Girl Scout and her mom was a leader,” says Lulling.  Mom Brandy Lulling is her troop leader.  “Selling cookies has been a wonderful way to improve Jenna’s skills in communication, organization, and goal setting,” says Brandy.

“Girl Scouts has been a great way for Emily to connect with other girls on a very personal level in a supportive environment,” says mom Heidi Clear, a former Girl Scout. “This was especially important to us when we moved here from out of state.”

Alexa Shinler’s mother and grandmother were Girl Scouts.  “I gained an appreciation for camping and the outdoors, as well as serving my community,” says mom Anne Shinler.  She passed on her enthusiasm for scouting to Alexa.  Alexa has a school project that requires her to research a person from history and then give a speech acting as that person.  “Alexa chose Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts,” says Anne.  “She’ll wear her great-aunt’s old Girl Scout uniform.” 

Low started the organization in 1911 and this year marks the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts.

If no Girl Scout knocks at your door, you can find them at cookie booths in front of local businesses at http://cookielocator.littlebrownie.com.