The beginning of the year means a whole bunch of things; hope, new beginnings, but most importantly it means Girl Scout Cookie season.
I ran into a little girl in her brownie vest this past weekend sitting outside the exit doors of Lowe's. She had her little wagon full of girl scout cookies, ready to hustle costumers into binging on a box or two and it brought back major nostalgic feels. I was a scout for 12 years, all the way from Daisy to Ambassador (silver award recipient, no big deal), and while I never seemed to bring myself to admit it in public at the time, it was one of my most favorite things of my childhood.
So in honor of 100 years of selling Girl Scout cookies (since 1917!), here is to all my fellow girls who used to, and continue to, live by the girl scout law.
1. Vests
THE VESTS. They were actually a lot bigger deal than most people think. The colors were meant to distinguish between the ranks; blue for daisy, brown for brownies, green for juniors, and beige for cadet/ seniors/ ambassadors. You had to make sure you had the American flag, troop number, and all the other important pins and patches so you looked nice and official during ceremonies and public events.Your mom probably low key hated you for having to make sure your vest was perfect, when she wasn't squealing over how cute you looked in your uniform.
2. Patches
Even patches were a big deal. Not only did you have to make sure the patches you earned were aesthetically pleasing on your vest, you actually had to earn them. There were the badges you earned from doing activities from your girl scout book with your troop, then the ones you earned just by going to special girl scout events, and then those condescending patches that showed how many boxes you sold. I always wanted the cool 100 boxes one but I didn't know that many people.
3. Bridging
Bridging is the term used in scouts where the girl literally walks over a little bridge to symbolize her "crossing over" to the next level. For example the little daisies would bridge over to brownies. You got a pin, a brand new vest color, and stood around for endless pictures your mom took because she was so proud of you. Your troop leader probably made you decorate the bridge yourself so that was fun, too.
4. February
AKA when you can officially start selling cookies. If you were the girl scout in your family that means you were HOUNDED for your order form, and family members nearly clawed at you just to order a couple boxes of Samoas. When you weren't the most prized member of the family for only a couple weeks, your troop leader probably had you sitting at the entrance of the local supermarket or going door to door begging your neighbors to help you out. Selling girl scout cookies was a huge character builder. (Bonus points if to this day you can still name every cookie.)
5. All-Abouts
I can't be the only one who misses All-Abouts. The chocolate bottom short bread cookies were famous for having an adjective or noun of what scouting was "all about". They were discontinued a little while ago, but before then they were a top seller. The newest cookie, S'mores, attempts to pay homage to this class, but it's just not the same.
6. Camporees
Don't listen to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts do more than just selling cookies and sewing badges. We actually camped, too. Odds are you attended at least one Girl Scout camp or camporee function in your life time, and it was the time of your life. Something about spending time outdoors with other preteen girls brought something out in you, and it was impossible not to have fun. Oh, and if the camporee was for Girl Scouts AND Boy Scouts, forget it, nothing was more fun.
7. Mother/Daughter everything
It's a no brainer that Girl Scouts are big on female empowerment, which is why at any given chance your local branch wanted to have an event focusing on mother-daughter bonding. Personally, I've attended Mother/Daughter luau, Mother/Daughter pizza party, Mother/Daughter campfire, Mother/Daughter Bowling, and of course Mother/Daughter Ball (aka; a bunch of 8-13 year olds running around hyped on soda and one sentimental slow song for the duo).
8. Flag ceremonies
Like I said before, Girl Scouts is way more than selling cookies; it's actually quite honorable and patriotic. Usually performed before bridging ceremonies or events that involved all the local troops, there was a whole ceremony that had to be preformed that involved rising the flag and the girl scout flag. There were probably many meetings devoted to learning the steps, formation, and pledges that are to be said at this time. Also, you had to wear your vest and the proper clothing underneath.
9. The words "On my honor...
"I will try, to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to love by the Girl Scout law!" I remember being 7-years-old and spending hours trying to memorize the oath all scouts recite at the beginning of each meetings and overall try to live by. It embodies everything Girl Scouts stand for and hold dear.
Being a Girl Scout taught me a lot over my 12 years. I learned a ton of marketing strategies, obviously, but mostly I learned how to be a girl — one with a good set of values and how to build other females up instead of tearing them down. Happy anniversary Girl Scouts, and here's to many more to come.
