Arden – “Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best,” said Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts. Over a century later, her dream continues to inspire millions of girls across the U.S., including here in Western North Carolina. As we celebrate Founder’s Day each year on October 31, we honor her vision of empowering girls to embrace their strengths, unlock their potential, and build confidence.
In the mountains and communities of Western North Carolina, the Girl Scouts are not only learning life skills but also making a profound impact on their neighborhoods. Every year, thousands of local Girl Scouts participate in the annual cookie sale, a vital program that helps fund a variety of experiences, from community service projects to travel opportunities. Cookies go on sale this month in our area. Cookie sale locations can be found by going to our website. and then using what’s called cookie locators. Put in your zip code in the cookie locator, it will give you a list of the booth locations where girls will be selling cookies in that area.
We spoke with the CEO of this region, Jennifer Wilcox, who stated, “This year, our local warehouse is stocked with $40,000 worth of cookies—just the first batch of what will total 1.5 million boxes across 40 counties from Tennessee to Alamance. These cookies, sold by young entrepreneurs, are not only a delicious treat but also serve as a key fundraising tool. With each $6 box sold, girls are learning essential business skills, like financial management, customer relations, and inventory control, all while raising funds for their troops.
The cookie program is the largest girl-run entrepreneurial effort in the world. It empowers local girls to set personal goals, whether that’s funding a dream trip to Europe or supporting their troop’s community service projects. Many of these girls also benefit from digital tools, with each one having a digital storefront to expand their sales reach beyond local booths. With QR codes and email links, these young businesswomen are getting a taste of e-commerce and learning how to manage a business in the digital age.”
But the impact of Girl Scouts goes beyond cookies. The program offers a variety of experiences in areas like STEM, outdoor adventure, life skills, and entrepreneurship. These opportunities allow girls to develop a strong sense of self, build healthy relationships, and solve community problems. Families are invited to engage as volunteers, participating alongside their daughters as they build lifelong skills.
In addition to the cookie program, Girl Scouts of Western North Carolina focuses on providing programs that help girls thrive, regardless of their background or interests. The organization is a vital resource for today’s parents, who are increasingly seeking ways to connect with their children while helping them grow into confident, capable young women.
The Girl Scout experience is more important than ever. In recent research, parents overwhelmingly prioritized confidence, personal growth, and life skills when choosing extracurricular activities. Girl Scouts provides a unique space where girls can be themselves, explore their passions, and gain the skills they need to succeed.
This year, our council is also focused on rebuilding and strengthening our community after Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the Southeast. With the launch of the One P2P Fund, Girl Scouts are supporting staff, volunteers, and families in affected areas, providing relief and fostering a sense of unity as they recover.
The strength of the Girl Scout program is its commitment to every girl, and it’s a commitment that extends into the future. At a national level, Girl Scouts of the USA is investing in new initiatives that will benefit councils and communities like ours. This includes an increase in annual dues, which will help further the mission of Girl Scouting.
As we move forward into another exciting year, we encourage local families to get involved. Whether you’re buying cookies, volunteering, or joining a troop, there are many ways to support and celebrate the Girl Scout program in Western North Carolina. Girls in grades K-12 are always invited to join, and adult volunteers are welcome to help make a difference.
For more information on how to get involved, visit www.BeAGirlScout.org/join. It’s a great time to be a Girl Scout in Western North Carolina, and we can’t wait to see the next generation of leaders shine.