During a live broadcast on KUSI, Interim Mayor Todd Gloria bought this year’s first box of cookies to launch the 2014 cookie program. Girl Scouts San Diego Board officer Sylvia Vecchione also participated in the ceremony.

February 2014

Getting down to (cookie) business
Psst — here’s a hot investment tip: Buy Girl Scout cookies! All proceeds stay local to support the activities and programs that shape girls’ futures. Today’s Cookie Entrepreneur Officer is tomorrow’s corporate CEO, growing in confidence and building leadership skills while raising funds for Girl Scouting. Now, that’s using resources wisely!

Just ask your friendly neighborhood Girl Scouts. They’re easy to spot — just about every troop member started ringing doorbells to sell cookies on Super Bowl Sunday. Momentum is building for National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (see below), when girls start booth sales at stores.

Girl Scouts are also inviting customers to donate cookies for deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard personnel through Operation Thin Mint_®. This year, we’ll send the 2.5 millionth box of cookies overseas.

Thank you for supporting our 30,000 girls by participating in the cookie program as a customer, volunteer or involved parent.

Jo Dee C. Jacob
Chief Executive Officer

The mayor makes it official: It’s cookie time! 
Sporting a Girl Scout mint green tie, Interim Mayor Todd Gloria proudly purchased San Diego’s first box of 2014 cookies ... live on KUSI. In addition to the Tagalongs he bought from Junior Troop 3854 and the top cookie sellers of 2013, the mayor donated a box of cookies to Operation Thin Mint_®, now in its 13th year. Girl Scouting, he told KUSI viewers, provides “a great opportunity to empower girls and give them leadership skills.”

Girl Scout Cookies + pastry chef = Extraordinary Desserts
When America’s most iconic cookies inspire San Diego’s most renowned pastry chef, expect extraordinary desserts! To celebrate National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend (Feb. 7-9), Extraordinary Desserts' Balboa Park and Little Italy locations will feature Thin Mint_® Crème Brulee, Samoas Chocolate Pots de Crème and a Hot Fudge Sundae with Tagalongs^® Ice Cream. Owner Karen Krasne, who once earned badges for baking and outdoor cooking, says Girl Scouting helped her develop skills she still uses as an entrepreneur, executive pastry chef and author. “While selling cookies, I learned to set goals, make decisions, and manage money,” she says. “National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend is the perfect time to reconnect with Girl Scouts!”

Cookie kickoffs set the stage
Girls of all ages prepared for cookie season with a councilwide rally at the San Diego Zoo and regional kickoff events hosted by service units (see photos). Practical activities like counting change and role-playing customer interactions helped our cookie professionals polish their business skills. Costume contests and decorating OTM donation boxes let them unleash their creative sides. Knowledge-building entertainment, such as cookie game shows and Safety Bingo, rounded out the fun.

Setting her sights on Olympic gold
Girl Scout Katrina Schaber is off to Sochi! The 16-year-old world champion alpine skier is attending the 2014 Olympics as one of seven young U.S. athletes in Ameritrade’s “Next Generation” initiative to showcase 2018 Paralympic hopefuls. Katrina, who has cerebral palsy, has been skiing since she was four, and began racing at age 11. She credits her Girl Scouting experiences — such as camp and the cookie program — for helping her build leadership skills and independence. While at the Olympics, she’ll ask famous athletes to autograph a box of Thin Mints. (See San Diego 6 and News 8 segments.)

It's your summer — camp it! Registration now open
Girls will choose their own adventures and build memories of a lifetime when they attend one of our 159 day and resident camps. Our brochure details exciting new offerings — including the Around the World cultural camp for eager global travelers; Living Coast, that brings girls up close and personal with native fauna; and a wild and crazy five-day race called Epic Adventure. Favorite sessions like Metropolis to Mountain, CSI: Winacka, Horsin’ Around and Arts Alive also return. Registration is underway.  All girls are welcome; no need to be a current Girl Scout. Financial assistance is available. For questions, contact camp@sdgirlscouts.org.

5K countdown
Finish Chelsea’s Run in partnership with Girl Scouts San Diego will fill Balboa Park on Saturday, March 1. Stefi, Addie and Sophie of Troop 2069 are training for the one-mile “Short & Sweet Route,” and can’t wait for the big day. Older girls and adults can join the Daisies on that route or complete the entire 5K. Register online, then stop by our Balboa Campus on Sunday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m. for our final training run/walk. Contact Jen Nation, (619) 610-0726, for details.

One-on-one with the CEO
A recent U-T San Diego profile of Girl Scouts San Diego CEO Jo Dee Jacob revealed that she was a Brownie in Connecticut and how experience gained as a naval officer shaped Operation Thin Mint_®. She also described her favorite hobby and ideal way to spend a weekend.

Future veterinarians
During You Can Be ... an Animal Advocate, older girls explored a multitude of careers involving animals. Participants job shadowed Helen Woodward Animal Center President/CEO Mike Arms, as well as an equine hospital employee and therapists who use horses and other pets to assist their patients. Girls also met a snake, helped to socialize puppies and cared for farmyard favorites like rabbits, sheep and miniature horses. (See photos and U-T article).

Share Girl Scouting with a friend
Volunteers: During February, earn $50 in credit at GSUSA’s online store by recruiting a caring adult to start a Daisy, Brownie or Junior troop. Share your own Girl Scout story and inspire others to become guides and mentors for young girls. New volunteers will receive a resource pack that includes The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting book, Journey resource set and Badge Activity Kit. Learn more about our Invite-a-Friend promotion online; complete a survey to claim your prize.

Save the date
Annual Meeting — Wednesday, April 23
Operation Thin Mint_® Sendoff Celebration — Saturday, May 3
New! San Diego’s 10 Cool Women of 2014 luncheon — Tuesday, May 13

Charged up for Samoas
In January, Girl Scouts of Colorado tweeted us a challenge to show our Chargers vs. Broncos football spirit. Our response—this photo of Brownie Juliana wearing a cookie bolo tie à la Philip Rivers — lit up Twitter and Facebook before U-T San Diego and ESPN picked it up. Cheers to Juliana!

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About Girl Scouts
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouting provides the nation’s best leadership experience for girls. Through Girl Scouts, girls discover themselves, connect with others, and take action to make the world a better place.

Girl Scouts San Diego provides activities for 43,000 local girl and adult members, trains volunteers, and maintains two camps and four program and service facilities.