It's Time to Get Googly-Eyed for Cookies

Editor's note: The schedule and locations for San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point sales through March 13, when sales end, are listed at the bottom of this story.

Today marks the next phase of Girl Scout cookie sales: San Juan Capistrano troops will greet you at entrances to grocery stores, banks and other retail locations. 

Girl Scout cookie lovers may think they are simply buying a $4 box of cookies or eating their favorite comfort food, but San Juan Capistrano Troop 878 leader Laurie Menosky said the cookie sales are a recipe for success.

Menosky has witnessed quiet “wallflower girls” become “a whole new person while asking someone to purchase a box of cookies.”

“The girls love to sell cookies,” said Menosky, whose 15-member troop is made up of girls ages 8 to 13 from R.H. Dana Elementary, , and . “So many skills that they might not use come out when they are selling.” 

Among those skills are learning how to handle money, talk with customers, goal-setting, decision-making and giving back, Menosky said.

San Juan Capistrano Girl Scouts are among the 44 troops that make up the Capistrano Valley Service Unit of the Girl Scout Council of Orange County.  Of the 454 girls in the Capo Valley Service Unit, about 362 girls will be selling cookies—including girls from San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point. 

There are approximately 25,000 girl scouts in Orange County. Some of the larger troops in the San Juan Capistrano area are from , a private school. 

The girls have already been selling door-to-door to friends and neighbors. Now they will reach out further into the community at San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point/Capistrano Beach locations.

Menosky, the cookie manager for the Capistrano Valley Service Unit, said the girls set their own goals. For Troop 878, the goal is based on the number of boxes sold. “Most of the time they exceed those goals,” she said. 

Parents are also a big part of the cookie sales, since they are responsible for the money that is collected. The girls also get to spend time with their parents while taking orders and delivering cookies together.

The funds raised stay in Orange County. For example, Troop 878 uses its funds to supplement the events it does during the year so that parents don’t have to pay for everything out of pocket. Menosky said that while Troop 878 is large, the troops with 20 or more girls have an edge in selling by sheer numbers.

What is trending this year? While the Thin Mints and Caramel Delights are still well-loved, the Lemonades and Shortbread cookies are flying out of the girls’ hands.

What's no longer available? Wave goodbye to the Daisy Go Round, the cookie packaged in 100-calorie servings. It was retired this year.

What's new? The newcomer is a Shout Out cookie, a ginger-type treat.

Oldies but goodies: Still on the menu are the Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Thanks-A-Lot.

Booth Schedule for San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point

The booth sales for the Capistrano Valley Service Unit start at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 at the locations listed below.   

Locations will be manned from 3-6 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Sales end March 13. Other booth information can be obtained through the Girl Scout Council of Orange County.

San Juan Capistrano

32862 Del Obispo

, 31873 Del Obispo

, 32382 Del Obispo

, 31109 Rancho Viejo Road

, 31874 Del Obispo

, 32401 Camino Capistrano

Dana Point/Capistrano Beach

Dana Point Farmers Market, Pacific Coast Highway near Golden Lantern

Albertsons, 33601 Del Obispo

Dana Wharf Sport Fishing, 34675 Golden Lantern in Dana Point Harbor

Gelson’s Market, Monarch Bay Plaza, 24 Monarch Bay Plaza

Ralphs, 24871 Del Prado

Ralphs, Ocean Ranch Plaza, 32555 Golden Lantern

Smart and Final, 34090 Doheny Park Rd., Capistrano Beach

Starbucks, Ocean Ranch Plaza, 32515 Golden Lantern

Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr. (booth at Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor)