Did you know Girl Scouts can change your life? I started as a Daisy in Kindergarten and now I am a Cadette in eighth grade. That’s almost nine years in Girl Scouts—and I plan to be a Girl Scout for life! I do not regret a single second of my journey so far. Girl Scouts is not only about having fun—I’ve learned how to help others, become a better community volunteer, and gotten to work with other girls my age. I would not be where I am today without Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts is a big part of who I am. Plus, I’ve make the best sister-friends anyone can have.

Have you ever felt like you can’t join Girl Scouts because your family doesn’t have enough money? Everyone knows about Girl Scout cookies, right? Well have you ever thought about what selling a box of Girl Scout cookies does for a girl? Every Girl Scout can achieve her goals in life by participating in cookie sales, as it is our own business. Every box of cookies sold goes toward funding community projects and yearly activities. During cookie sales we learn about money, goal setting, and how to achieve those goals. My goals are set higher and higher each year, so I have to make a plan for sales to achieve those goals. The Girl Scout Cookie Program has given me a way to earn my own way to participate. I’ve sold enough cookies to go on Girl Scout Destinations, attend summer camps, and fund community projects. And I did it all by myself! Well, with transportation from my mom.

Girl Scouts is obviously not all about cookies. Completing my Bronze Award, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can achieve, was a fun community project that changed my life. I met new people, built my community involvement, and showed who I was and what I could do. It was a rewarding experience that helped someone else and bettered me and the team I worked with.

What makes Girl Scouts fun for me is the friends I’ve made during my journey. I have made friends not only locally, but from all over the United States. Every time I attend a camp or activity, I make new friends and continue to plan future activities with them. Who doesn’t like pen pals?

Trust me. You will not regret signing up for this AWESOME lifetime of experience. Girl Scouts is about building courage, confidence, and character within your everyday life. Like Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, said, “The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are it’s makers.” So why wouldn’t you join today?

To join or volunteer, visit www.gswo.org/join.