Watch CBS News

Girl Scout Cookie Sales Meant To Teach Girls Life Skills

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - It's that time of year again when the Girls Scouts of America are out in full force to sell cookies.

But Girl Scouts leaders said the popular program is about way more than Samoas, Thin Mints or Do-si-dos.

"The Girl Scout Cookie program really isn't about pastry. It is about teaching girls to learn and earn their way in this world and this is what we're all about," Nassau County chapter CEO Donna Ceravolo told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.

Girl Scout Cookie Sales Meant To Teach Girls Life Skills

Ceravolo said something as simple as selling cookies helps girls learn five important life skills.

"The Girl Scout Cookie program teaches girls to set goals. If you don't have goals, it doesn't really matter where you're going or how you get there. You'll wind up some place somewhere at some time, but you need a goal," she told Hall. "We teach girls how to manage money. It's a cookie program, it's an entrepreneurial skills-building program. It's the largest financial literacy program in the world for girls."

In addition to business skills, selling cookies also gives girls confidence in dealing with others.

"We teach the girls about decision-making. We primarily focus on making group decisions," Ceravolo said.

According to Ceravolo, the most popular cookie Long Island is Thin Mints.

February 8 is National Girl Scout Cookie Day.

What's your favorite Girl Scout cookie? Let us know in the comments section below!

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.