Jordan Kendall sits with his daughter, Neeka, 10, center, and Isabel Danner, 11, as they taste cookies and Coppa ice cream made with Girl Scout cookies during a Cookie Rally at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. The rally kicks off the first day of selling cookies for the Girl Scouts. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Jordan Kendall sits with his daughter, Neeka, 10, center, and Isabel Danner, 11, as they taste cookies and Coppa ice cream made with Girl Scout cookies during a Cookie Rally at the Juneau Arts & Culture Center on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. The rally kicks off the first day of selling cookies for the Girl Scouts. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Here’s the lowdown on Girl Scouts cookie season

Scouts take orders in January for March deliveries

It’s OK to politely decline doing business.

That’s what Kimberly Vaughan, the coordinator of Juneau’s Girl Scouts cookie program, wants the public to know when they encounter a scout at the front door or grocery store in the coming months.

“But you don’t have to not make eye contact with them,” Vaughan said. “It’s good to be able to at least tell them, ‘Hi,’ as you walk by and not just ignore them. That’s part of their learning process, they know not all the people that walk by are going to be buying cookies.”

Friday marked the first official day of the Girl Scouts of Alaska’s cookie sales. Scouts go door-to-door throughout the month taking orders, which arrive in town at the end of February before booth sales begin in March.

In addition to funding Girl Scouts projects, cookie sales foster five skills for the youth: goal setting, business ethics, money management, decision making and people skills.

This year’s cookie lineup will feature eight cookies — Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Trefoils, Savannah Smiles, S’mores, Toffee-tastic — according to Girl Scouts of Alaska spokesperson Becca Pilipchuk. Pilipchuk said Juneau sold just over 35,000 boxes of cookies last year, roughly 8 percent of the total sales in Alaska. As is the case across the organization, Thin Mints were the most sought after treat.

Vaughan said most of the troops in Juneau — there are 21 in all — reap the majority of their sales from the booths. Vaughan said don’t worry if your house was missed during the Jan. 11-27 pre-sales period — there will be lots sold at the grocery stores.

“Juneau (Girl Scouts) have learned that even though the pre-sales were going down, that Juneau still eats a certain amount of cookies,” Vaughan said. “We have what we call a cookie cupboard and that’s for troops to get more cookies if they sell out of the cookies that they thought they needed.”

Pilipchuk said it’s important to engage with the Girl Scouts, not just hand them a $5 bill for a box of cookies.

“Ask the girls how they’re going to use their earnings from the cookie sale,” Pilipchuk said. “The girls plan each year using cookie proceeds — what trips they want to take, what community service projects they want to help with — so they’ll be excited to share their goals with you. Make eye contact and ask questions about what they’re selling and let them explain it to you – this teaches great business and people skills.”

• Contact reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com.


• Contact reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com.


More in News

President Joe Biden speaks during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, celebrating Greek Independence Day. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)
Biden won’t veto Republican-led bill ending COVID emergency

Republicans celebrated the turn of events Wednesday.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, March 30, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Robert DeMaine, principal cellist of the L.A. Philharmonic, is scheduled to perform Dvorak’s Cello Concerto during a pair of concerts this weekend by the Juneau Symphony. (Courtesy Photo/ Daniel Lippitt)
Say cello to the guest artist: Symphony performance features L.A. Philharmonic’s principal cellist

Concert will include Dvořák’s Cello Concerto among other selections.

Moby the Mobile Greenhouse is a traveling greenhouse project of the Sustainable Southeast Partnership. Since 2016, Moby has helped jumpstart communities of growers in communities from Kake and Hoonah, to Pelican–where Moby is currently being utilized. (Courtesy Photo / Lione Clare)
Resilient Peoples & Place: Traditional food fair and farmers summit represent breadth of Southeast Alaska’s food system

Southeast is energized for a new season of cultivating and harvesting a bounty of fresh local food.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
State Trooper convicted of attempted sexual abuse of a minor

KENAI — Vance Peronto, formerly an Alaska State Trooper based in Soldotna,… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Wednesday, March 29, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

An otter sleeps on the ice near an open channel (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)
On the Trails: Spring comes slowly

As I await more and bigger signs of spring, there have been good things to see along the trails.

State Sen. Bert Stedman, center, co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, presides over a committee hearing Thursday. The committee on Monday approved an $8.4 million fast-track supplemental budget to address staff shortages in processing food stamps, public defenders and legal advocates for vulnerable residents. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Bill with funds to address food stamps backlog goes to governor

Legislature gives near-unanimous approval to hiring extra staff to fix months-long backlog

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire
From left to right, Carlee Simon, Frank Hauser and Thom Peck pose for a photo on Tuesday at Thunder Mountain High School after the Juneau School Board hosted a public forum in which Simon, Hauser and Peck were given an opportunity to answer questions as the three finalists being considered for the Juneau School District superintendent position.
Superintendent finalists field questions

Forum held ahead of Wednesday’s special school board meeting.

Most Read