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It’s Girl Scout cookie time again in the Outer Banks and troops are actively canvassing neighborhoods and taking orders, as well as setting up booths in front of restaurants, grocery stores and shopping centers.

Ten troops comprised of over 100 girls from kindergarten through high school are participating in the fundraiser, which helps to contribute to program costs and materials, patches and trips. Girl Scouts participate in outdoor programs, STEM, life skills, entrepreneurship and more. A portion of the cookie proceeds is directly managed by the girls and it’s up to them to decide how to invest their troop’s share of the earnings.

“It’s a great program,” said service unit coordinator Denise Mann, who has been involved in the Girl Scouts for 31 years. “It’s not only about sales. The girls learn skills … it brings the kids out of their shells. They learn to communicate, not to be shy and talk to people.”

This year, the new cookie is called “Adventurefuls,” which is an indulgent brownie-inspired cookie with caramel-flavored cream and a hint of sea salt. “My husband loved it, all the troops love it. We’ve sold a lot!” said Mann. And of course, all the favorites will be available for $4 a box: Lemon-Ups, Trefoils, Do-Si-dos (made with natural flavors), Samoas, Tagalongs and Thin Mints (made with vegan ingredients). Two specialty cookies, priced at $5 per box, are available this year: Girl Scout S’mores (made with natural flavors), and Toffee-tastic (gluten-free; no artificial flavors).

At the booths, customers can pay with cash, check or use the QR code provided to make purchases online. For those who don’t eat cookies but still want to support the organization, the club offers the Gift of Caring Donation Program, which allows customers to donate cookies to a local organization or to the United Service Organizations.

Cookie sales teach what the Girl Scouts call the Five Essential Skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. Customers are encouraged to engage in discussions with the girls and ask about their goals and plans with the Girl Scouts. Anyone interested in joining the Girl Scouts should call Mann at 252-216-6373.

Girl Scouts will be selling cookies at the following locations:

Saturday, February 26

Troop #2603 Walmart 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Troop #4039 Village Hardware 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday, February 27

Troop #2603 Walmart 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Troop #1660 Lowe’s 12 noon to 3 p.m.

Troop #2356 Food-A-Rama 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Troop #2109 White’s Shopping Center 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Saturday, March 5

Troop #2603 Ocracoke Oyster Co. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Troop #2573 Food-A-Rama 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Sunday, March 6

Troop #2109 Lowe’s 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Troop #2573 Food-A-Rama 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday, March 11

Troop #4039 Southern Bank 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 12

Troop #2603 Wal Mart 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, March 13

Troop #2603 Walmart 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Troop #2356 Lowe’s 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

HATTERAS ISLAND TROOP

Saturday, February 26

Troop #2103 Books to Red, Ocracoke 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 5

Troop #2103 Bro’s Sandwich Shack, Avon 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 12

Troop #2103 Conner’s Supermarket, Buxton 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 19

Troop #2103 Island Convenience, Rodanthe 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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