ORWIGSBURG — While visions of Mickey Mouse may have been dancing in their heads, Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 30984 had selling cookies — and lots of them — on their minds Saturday.
Leader Becki Toothaker said this is the third year her Scouts have been selling cookies. Their goal this year is to sell 4,270 boxes. Funds from the sale will be used for a 2017 trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania joined councils across the country to participate in National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend.
While selling cookies Saturday at Josie’s Place, an eatery at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market, each girl in Troop 30984 said she had a different duty. Some Scouts enjoy interacting with the customers, while others like handling the cash, they said.
For Abbey Garrity, she enjoys talking with the customers.
“They usually ask which ones they should get and what cookies are the best,” Garrity, 10, of Pottsville, said. The Tagalongs and the Thin Mints are her favorites and what she recommends, she said.
“I like to give them the boxes,” Samarra Reedy, 9, of Pottsville, added. “I think the Thin Mints are most people’s favorite, because people usually like mint and chocolate together.”
Reedy said camping is one of her most favored scouting activity.
“We get to sing songs and it’s fun,” she said.
While most of the junior girl scouts agreed that they enjoyed eating the Thin Mints, Faith Toothaker said Samoas were her first choice.
“I like the coconut in them,” Toothaker, 10, of Mar Lin, said. Her favorite scouting activity is camping.
“You go on hikes, play games and have camp fires,” she said.
Toothaker was also looking forward to her Disney trip next year.
“You get to go on rides and swim in the pool and see princesses,” she said.
For Sarah Malek, it will be her first time visiting there.
“It’s fun, it’s magical and it looks like a pretty place,” Malek, 9, of Pottsville, said. Scouting has provided some fun learning experiences for her, too, she explained.
“I like hanging out with my friends and doing a lot of crafts together,” she said. Malek said the troop recently made first aid kits, learned how to wrap sprains and make a splint with a pencil or a stick.
As for the cookie sales, Malek said she’ll do anything that’s needed.
“I like to re-stock the boxes and to take the money and give people change. I like doing math,” Malek said.
Dakota Zweizig, 10, of Cumbola, has been in the scouting program for four years and said she likes to “chit chat” with the cookie customers. She said she enjoyed the scouts’ trip to the aquarium where she got to see dolphins and got a “dolphin flashlight” as a souvenir. She’s excited for the chance to see Disney World.
“I’ve never been there before. I’m watching YouTube videos and seeing some of the rides that you can go on,” she said.
Each year, Toothaker said the troop tries to plan a trip together. Two years ago, funds from cookie sales were used to travel to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Last year, they traveled to New York City. The group took a vote and decided to forego larger trips this year, so they could save their money and go to Disney World in 2017, she said.
The troop did take an excursion to H2O Water Park in Split Rock and will continue its camping trips. They’re working on their Bronze Award and have been focused on community service, Toothaker said. The girl scouts also participated in recognizing citizens for their community service at a citizens’ dinner and will participate in the Color Fusion 5K Run to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Deer Lake on April 26. Toothaker said the troop’s parents are very supportive of the scouts’ activities.
On Saturday, there was no shortage of cookie fans.
Mike Haeseler stopped by Josie’s Place for breakfast and decided to pick up a box of Thin Mints — his favorite.
“Every year, I usually get them or buy them directly off of Becki,” said Haeseler, Landingville, a cousin to Toothaker.
If patrons missed the booth at Josie’s on Saturday or didn’t pre-order, there’s still time to purchase the seasonal treats.
Troop 30984 will be selling them Wednesday at the Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville; March 5 outside BG’s Market in Minersville; March 6 at the Landingville Firehall breakfast, and again at Josie’s Place on March 12.
Toothaker said the top four selling cookie varieties her troop sells are Thin Mints, Samoas, Do Si Dos and Tagalongs.
Troop 30984, a Junior Girl Scout Troop based in Pottsville, currently has 22 members. The scouts meet every other Sunday at the Schoentown Fire Company, Port Carbon. Heather Garrity serves as assistant Girl Scout leader.
GSHPA’s Girl Scout cookie booth season runs until March 27. Customers will be able to get their hands on classic cookies, like Thin Mints and Samoas, as well as some newer varieties, like gluten-free Toffee-tastic and Rah-Rah Raisin, that made their debut last year. All Girl Scout cookies can be purchased for $4 a box, excluding gluten-free Toffeetastic which can be purchased for $5 a box.