Friday, January 30, marked the first day of 2015 Girl Scout cookie sales. Girls Scouts first started selling cookies in December 1917, in the cafeteria of a high school. The first cookies sold by Girl Scouts were Trefoils, shortbread cookies. Now Girl Scouts sell a wide variety of cookies. This year there is a new cookie and a new way to buy Girl Scout cookies.

This year Girl Scouts in Spotsylvania County are selling seven types of cookies. Including a new cookie called Rah-Rah Raisins. Rah-Rah Raisins are an oatmeal cookie with raisins and Greek yogurt chunks. Other cookies are Savannah Smiles, Trefoils, Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, and Do-Si-Dos.  Thin Mints, Trefoils, and Do-Si-Dos are required to be sold every year; the other four are optional.  Thin Mints are the most popular Girl Scout cookie. This year Thin Mints are now vegan.

In addition to being able to buy a new cookie, customers can now purchase cookies online. Girl Scouts is calling the new program Digital Cookies. A Girl Scout can send their customer a link to their own custom website were cookies can be purchased. “With days becoming more modern, it is easier to stay in the comfort of your own home to buy cookies,” said sophomore Samantha Anderson. Digital Cookies is not replacing traditional door to door sales and booth sales, but it will help girls sell to family and friends who live in different states.

Selling Girl Scout cookies teaches girls important skills. “I think it teaches them leadership skills, money management skills, and communication skills,” said Girl Scout co-leader Larraine Ashby, “I think it teaches them money management skills because when they’re selling cookies, it is important to make sure you are counting the money correctly and to keep track of the amount of boxes you are selling. I chose communication skills because when a girl is at a cookie booth, it is important to speak up and reach out to customers! Sometimes it’s great to tell them what they are doing with their cookie money — trips, donations, etc. I chose leadership skills because I feel like when someone is interested in purchasing cookies they will be more likely to buy  when they can tell that a girl knows what she was talking about and can answer all of their questions and basically is showing leadership.” While learning important values girls can also have fun selling. “I like cookie booths and making people happy,” said Girl Scout Caitlin Hull.

Girl Scout Cookies are only sold once a year. April 15 is the end of the 2015 cookie season. All cookies are available for four dollars per box.