Girl Scout cookies are back. Here’s where to find them in Washington state
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Girl Scout cookie season, that is.
The famous Girl Scout cookie lineup of flavors is only available about six to eight weeks a year, so finding your favorites can sometimes be difficult.
Sales in Western Washington will end March 20, so go grab your favorites while you can.
According to Girl Scout Cookie History, cookie sales started as early as 1917, but as selling cookies is only one of many activities Girl Scouts do, it is limited to a short season.
For Lily Ruuska, a 10-year-old Girl Scout in Seattle Troop 41279, being a Girl Scout is something sweet, especially being able to sell cookies alongside her friends.
“Being a Girl Scout means being a friend to all girls, making new friends, working towards goals, and eating cookies.”
“I like cookie booths the best because I get to hang out with my Troop-mates while having fun selling cookies! When someone buys cookies I get excited because then I get closer to reaching my cookie goal!”
Lily’s mother Laura Ruuska is a Cookie Parent for the troop, and says she can see how selling cookies has grown her daughter’s abilities to talk to others and work hard to support her troop.
“She has become more engaged in setting goals, and the steps she needs to take to achieve those goals. She has a better understanding that all her hard work benefits not just her, but her whole Troop. As she sells door-to-door, she’s also becoming familiar with neighbors and more confident with engaging with them in conversation, even outside of cookie season,” Laura Ruuska wrote in an email to McClatchy.
From Thin Mints, to Samoas, Tagalongs and more, Girl Scout cookies are famous for their delicious flavors and addictive tastes.
Where can I find cookies?
Girl Scout cookies are easier than ever to find through The Girl Scouts website. Not only can you order online and have your favorite cookies delivered to your door, but you can now DoorDash cookies for fast delivery, or use the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app to see where cookies are on sale near you.
The Girl Scout Cookie Finder app can be downloaded in the App Store or on Google Play and allows users to enter their zip code and find what troops are selling cookies nearby. The app provides information on where the Girl Scout stands are, what days and times they are open and what troop is running them.
To order cookies online, simply visit the Girl Scout’s website, type in your zip code, and click “buy now,” where you will be directed to an online cookie store to receive the cookies straight to your home.
Where does the money go?
According to The Girl Scouts website, 75% of cookie sales remain local, supporting the girls in your community.
According to The Girl Scouts of Western Washington, buying girl scout cookies does more than just raise money for camps and activities. When Girl Scouts sell cookies, they are learning valuable life skills such as goal setting, business ethics, decision making, money management and people skills.
Vannessa Blea, senior director of brand marketing for Western Washington Girl Scouts, said the cookies fund amazing opportunities for the girls.
“People often wonder how the cookie funding crumbles. The easiest answer? It goes back to Girl Scout programming, operations, and our Girl Scouts themselves! Our Girl Scouts are perfectly placed for a myriad of opportunities to explore and discover, from the land, skies, and the virtual, the world around them is truly their oyster. Girl Scouts in Western Washington, through partnerships with Microsoft, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, AT&T, The Museum of Flight, and more, are able to explore STEM careers and even take flight,” Blea wrote in an email to McClatchy.
Girl Scouts are also finding ways during the cookie season to help those in the military.
“Operation Cookie” allows customers and Girl Scouts to donate cookies to military bases, and locally to the Puget Sound United Services Organization in order to distribute the treats of appreciation to all branches of the military. If you are buying online, simply press “donate” at check out, or contact our local Girl Scout leaders to donate.
How much are cookies this year?
Cookies this year are all $5 a box, except for gluten-free options such as the Toffee-Tastic cookies that are $6 a box.
How many kinds of cookies are there?
Cookie flavors will vary depending on your location. All Girl Scout cookies are kosher and Halal certified, and some flavors are gluten-free or vegan. The Girls Scouts currently have 12 flavors in their lineup:
▪ Samoas: Caramel, coconut and chocolate cookies.
▪ Do-si-dos: Oatmeal cookies with peanut butter sandwiched between.
▪ Thin Mints: Vegan chocolate and mint cookies.
▪ Tagalongs: Vegan chocolate and peanut butter cookies.
▪ S’mores: Graham cookies with marshmallow and chocolate sandwiched between.
▪ Adventurefuls: This newest cookie is brownie-inspired with caramel and sea salt.
▪ Caramel Chocolate Chip: Gluten-free with caramel and chocolate chips.
▪ Lemon-Ups: Lemon cookies with inspiring messages baked onto them.
▪ Trefoils: Shortbread cookies shaped as The Girl Scout trefoil.
▪ Toffee-Tastic: Gluten-free butter cookies with toffee bits.
▪ Toast-Yay: Vegan french toast-flavored cookies dipped in icing.
▪ Lemonades: Vegan shortbread cookies with lemon icing.
What Girl Scout cookie is your favorite?
We want to know what Girl Scout cookie is the most popular in Western Washington. So whether your favorite is the classic Thin Mint, the traditional Trefoils, or the vegan Toast-Yay cookie, cast your vote below to see which Girl Scout cookie will likely sell out first in the Pacific Northwest.
This story was originally published March 5, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
