Girl Scout cookies; let’s face it, when you think about Girl Scouts, you think about the infamous Girl Scout cookies. Thin Mints, Shortbreads, Carmel De-Lites, and all the other delicious sugar-filled treats that you see stacked on a table in front of cute little girls at Walmart. Girl Scout cookie sales are epic, in fact, they account for the largest girl-led business in the world.

If you are, were, or are going to be a Girl Scout, you know that Girl Scouts is about so much more than just cookies. It’s about camping, earning badges, networking, leadership, and most importantly, sisterhood.

Globally, Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) serves 2.7 million active girl and adult members, and over 59 million American women alive today participated in Girl Scouts at some point in their life. You will find Girl Scout alumnae everywhere: in Congress, on TV as reporters and entertainers, and even in space as astronauts!

As a youth Girl Scout for 13 years, I was all about Girl Scouting. I participated in troop activities, went to Girl Scout camp, sold Girl Scout cookies (and was always the top seller, a title I was very proud to hold), earned badges, and achieved the highest awards attainable in scouting: the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. The leadership experience I gained in scouting is one of the many reasons I am proud to call myself a Girl Scout, but I am also proud for some many other reasons.

Girl Scouting is for girls, by girls, and about girls.

The Girl Scout organization is founded on the principle of creating girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. GSUSA and the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) are invested in always making sure that the mission of Girl Scouting is in line with the needs and desires of modern girls. This means doing research on the state of girl’s thriving in the 50 states, and ensuring that new Girl Scout curricula is suited to the changing face of the American girl. For example, GSUSA recently announced that a new set of badges related to cybersecurity would be launched in the fall of 2018—proving once again GSUSA is keenly aware of the skills that modern day American girl needs to succeed.

Girl Scouts stand up or equality and are always moving forward.

Girl Scouts has always been a progressive and forward-thinking organization, especially in regards to equality. On the issue of transgender inclusion in Girl Scouting, GSUSA has stated, “if the child is recognized by the family and school/community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, then Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe.” But Girl Scouts goes beyond simply saying that they will support all girls, they also show it. In 2015 the Girl Scouts of Western Washington refused a donation of $100,000 because it reportedly came with the provision that the funds shouldn’t be used to support transgendered girls.

“Girl Scouts is for every girl, and that is every girl regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion. Every girl is every girl,” said Megan Ferland, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Western Washington in response to the refusal making headlines.

Girl Scouts continues serving girls, even after they’ve completed the youth program.

Even after girls are finished with the youth program for Girl Scouting, GSUSA continues to provide support and opportunities to Girl Scout alumnus. This starts at the council level as girls achieving their Gold Awards are often given the chance of receiving scholarships for higher education, but Life Scouts and Adult Girl Scouts also have opportunities to volunteer in troops and at events, work at summer camps, and gain valuable life experiences through public speaking, outreach, and internship opportunities.

For the past two summers, I have been generously offered internship experiences with my local Girl Scout council in their Marketing/Communications and Grant Writing offices. These experiences allow me real-life hands-on learning in fields that I am interested pursuing, as well as give me the ability to network with other women passionate about making an impact on the world.

Girl Scouts break the mold.

Girl Scouts are about so much more than just cookies. Girl Scouts encourage girls to pursue STEM-related fields, they bring progressive programming to underprivileged girls who could not otherwise afford Girl Scouting, and they ensure that all girls have the opportunities they need to become successful and confident young women.

Yes, Girl Scouts is about cookie sales and camping, and earning badges, but it’s also about learning how to navigate the world and establish yourself as a strong young woman ready to face the challenges of today and build the future of tomorrow.

I would not trade my experience in Girl Scouts for anything. The experience has opened so many doors, helped me grow, and shaped me into the woman I am today.

There are so many reasons to be proud of being a Girl Scout, share yours today!