The Mystery of the Disappearing Cookies, Answered!

Hey Girl Scouts, parents and volunteers! There has been a lot of talk recently about Girl Scout cookies being cut down to just 6 types of cookies and 2 flavors being discontinued. That program is being implemented by the other cookie baker, Little Brownie Baker. Please remind customers that we receive our cookie products from ABC Bakers and continue to offer EIGHT flavors of cookies. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding this matter.

-Girl Scouts of Central Texas

Annie's Blog: Keynote Speakers Confirmed for Conference!

Hey girls! I am so excited to announce that our 2011 Teen Conference keynote speakers will be Olga Campos and Kate Whitfield!  Austin’s own Olga Campos, KVUE news anchor and philanthropist, will open the conference with her inspirational stories of community leadership, volunteerism and building her career as a professional woman.  Kate Whitfield, 24 year old author, media personality and founder of Empowered Gal Inc., will speak to guests of the conference about her mission to empower young women.  Through her company Empowered Gal Inc. (which she started in high school!!), Kate motivates girls to transform their body image, self esteem, and the vision for their lives.  The whole G.I.R.L. committee is super excited about hosting both Olga and Kate at the Teen Conference, and we can’t wait for you all to join us in learning from these inspirational women!!

Registration is still open so gather your gal pals and register for the Teen Conference today!

-Annie L.

Annie's Blog: NEW Teen Conference PSA! Plz Share.

Hey guys! It’s Annie; here with an exciting update from the G.I.R.L. committee about the Teen Conference! Last week the G.I.R.L. committee got together at channelAustin studios to brainstorm and produce an awesome Public Service Announcement to help spread the word about the conference. Please take a minute to watch the final product and pass it along to all of your friends! We are really proud of it!! Fliers have also been printed and are on the move – you might see them posted at your school or around town. Registration is still open, so if you haven’t yet registered to attend the conference, do so ASAP! Less than a month ‘til the conference… I can’t wait!! Next month will be super busy for the G.I.R.L. committee as we prepare for the big day – don’t forget, February 19th - and I’ll be sure to keep you posted on all the craziness!

Every Cookie Has a Mission, Beginning January 19

Girl Scouts of Central Texas will ask customers to help girls do great things by purchasing a box of the tasty treats that not only taste good, but that do good beginning January 19.

“People say, it’s just a cookie. What can a cookie do,” says Tracy Morris, Product Program Manager, “a Girl Scout Cookie can do a lot.”

While cookies are only on sale for 38 days, local Girl Scouts reap the benefits all year long. Girls decide where the money goes. A Girl Scout cookie could help girls pay for camp; purchase uniforms and badges; fly a troop to a destination of their choice; or buy school supplies for needy kids. It could also cheer up a soldier far from home. Every cookie has a mission: To do great things.

With every season of Girl Scout cookies, another generation of girls learns to speak confidently, set goals, make a plan, manage money and believe in themselves. As women, they’ll need these skills, whether their goal is to start a business, or a family.

“The skills taught by the Cookie Program, especially money management and goal-setting, are life skills,” says Morris. “The Cookie Program puts these very complicated and important skills into a situation where girls can comprehend, practice and master them.”

To ensure the best educational experience possible, Girl Scouts of Central Texas is encouraging cookie customers to ask Girl Scouts any or all of the following questions.
  • What cookie do you recommend and why?
  • What is your cookie sale goal?
  • What has the Cookie Program and Girl Scouts taught you?

By answering questions correctly and reaching their sales goals, Girl Scouts develop confidence in themselves and their ability to succeed. Confident girls become leaders who make the world a better place, thus achieving the mission of Girl Scouts.

The cookie sale is January 19-February 25. This season girls will be able to take cookie orders online using approved online tools. Girl Scouts of Central Texas sells eight types of cookies: Thin Mints, Shortbread, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lots and new this year, Shout-Outs!

More information about this year's cookie sale and Girl Scouts, including how to register, can be found at http://www.gsctx.org/.

-Kandace Fierro

Annie's Blog: Teen Conference Workshops

Hi girls! It's Annie again; here with more updates regarding the Teen Conference! Over the holidays we secured some awesome workshops, including a college-prep seminar, a healthly cooking class and a workshop from the girls at MaD Miracles, who gave a really inspiring speech at last year's conference. One workshop that I am really looking for to is 'Expressions: The Hip-Hop Workshop.' Participants will learn a cool dance routine to the song "Swagg" by Teyona Taylor, while learning the possibilities of using the art of dance to express the "me that no one gets to see." This particular workshop was at the conference last year and everyone had a blast dancing together. I can't wait to go again this year!

We recently added the most updated list of workshops to our website. Go take a look and see what's in store for the 2011 conference. If you have any questions, feel free to email us! Registration is also now open so go register and tell your friends! We would love to see you there!

Up next on the list - creating flyers and confirming lunchtime entertainment.

-Annie L.