You'd be surprised what a Girl Scout Cookie can Build: Strong Values, Strong Minds, Strong Bodies, Strong Spirit, Strong Friendships, Strong Skills, Strong Leadership, Strong Community.

"Our Girl Scout Cookie sale is an invaluable learning experience," explains Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area CEO/President, Susan G. Ratcliff, CGSCEO. "This voluntary program activity helps girls develop self-confidence, self-respect and a strong sense of community."

Soon after Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in 1912, Girl Scout leaders and girls sold cookies to be self-reliant and to fund their own troop activities. In those early days, girls baked the original shortbread cookies at home and held neighborhood bake sales to raise money for troop activities. By 1934, several Girl Scout councils were using commercial bakers to assist in their endeavors.

During the 1940s, Girl Scouts sold fewer cookies during World War II due to limited supplies of flour, sugar and butter. By 1947, a total of 29 bakers throughout the nation were licensed to create Girl Scout Cookies, but by 1980, the number was streamlined to four bakers (now three licensed bakers) to ensure lower prices, and uniform quality, packaging, and distribution.

"Since they first began, the Girl Scout Cookie sales have focused on helping girls to learn real skills that help them succeed in life," said Girl Scout historian, Mary Levey. "Many of today's successful women credit Girl Scout Cookie sales with helping them develop their business and communication skills.

Cookie Treasures

Empty the cupboards and clean out the freezer because Girl Scout Cookies arrive in the area February 1 and 2. Like old-fashioned Shortbread trefoils, the creamy Peanut Butter Patties or the refreshing, chocolatey Thin Mints.

Click here for girls to learn more about the Cookie Activity Pin.

Incentives and Cookie Dough for Girl Scouts

With the Girl Scout Cookie Sale being such an important program in Girl Scouting, the Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area provides the following Incentives and Cookie Dough (PDF Format).

PLEASE NOTE: The brochure is an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file. To view this file, you must have the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Please click on the following link to download the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Important Cookie Sale Dates

• January 4, 2008— Girl Scout Cookie Sale Begins (pre-orders)
• February 1-2, 2008— Girl Scout Cookie Deliveries to Troops
• February 2 - March 4, 2008— Girl Scout Cookies on Sale at booths in the community
• March 4, 2008— Girl Scout Cookie Sale Ends

If you are interested in purchasing Girl Scout cookies and you live in our community, call the Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area at 828-328-2444 or 800-328-8388.

The Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area serves the North Carolina counties of Alexander, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell and Watauga. Cookies can only be ordered within these communities during the aforementioned dates.

Visit ABC Girl Scout Cookie Bakers for more information about Girl Scout Cookies.