The holidays may be over, but the most wonderful time of the (new) year is about to arrive: Girl Scout cookie season. If you're craving some Thin Mints or Trefoils and wondering how to get Girl Scout cookies in 2017, you're in good company; a lot of us are starting to dream idly about those delicious little bites of goodness. And the good news is that in the modern day, getting a hold of your favorite treat is easier than ever.
Growing up, I basically lived off of Caramel deLites (also known as Samoas, depending on where you are); nothing excited me more than when a Girl Scout rang my doorbell with an order form ready. In fact, nearly everyone in my immediate family would request their specific favorites, so we always ordered at least three boxes each season. Ah, such fond memories.
Now that I'm older and living in the city, it's a bit more difficult to get my hands on those delicious cookies. The Coconut Dreams cookies from Keebler are a close dupe for Caramel deLites, but honestly, nothing beats the real thing. There's just something about those crispy coconut flakes, the chewiness of the cookie, and that ooey, gooey caramel waiting at the bottom of the plastic box. My mouth is already watering.
2017's Girl Scout cookie season is especially exciting because it's the program's 100th anniversary. Yep, that's right: Girl Scout cookies have been around since 1917 when Girl Scouts began selling them in Muskogee, Okla. The program is also known for helping to foster racial integration and empowerment for girls and women. A century later, they're still a classic. What better way to celebrate this monumental year for the Girl Scouts than to order some cookies?
If you don't know a Girl Scout personally or don't live in a neighborhood where Girl Scouts visit, fear not. There are still plenty of ways to get your favorite Girl Scout cookies. Here are just a few:
1At A Cookie Booth
Bake sales and lemonade stands aren't a thing of the past (yet). If you're looking for a Girl Scout cookie booth, there are a few ways to find them: First, there's a mobile app specifically to help you do that. Just download "Girl Scout Cookie Finder" on your smartphone (it's available for both iOS and Android) to find the locations and operating hours for cookie booths that may be stationed near you. Or, if you prefer to use a browser over an app, you can also use either the Little Brownie Baker online cookie locator or the cookie locator on the Girl Scouts website to do the same thing.
These apps and locators cover every zip code in the United States as well as Puerto Rico; they also allow you to contact your local Girl Scout Council. Oh, and the most important bit: On the app, you can save cookie sale dates to your calendar, so you'll exactly when to visit those booths.
2Online Via Digital Cookie
Like pretty much everything else, Girl Scout Cookies has gone digital. The program's Digital Cookie platform allows you to visit a Girl Scout's personalized cookie website. From there, you can select any cookies that you'd like to buy, place your order request, and pay directly online. You can even request to have those boxes delivered by a Girl Scout.
If you're at a cookie booth (see above), some Girl Scouts may offer Digital Cookie as a means of secure payment in person, depending on your preference or in case you don't have any cash on hand.
Plus: You can also donate those cookies to charity using Digital Cookie, if you'd like.
3The Old-Fashioned Way
If you happen to live in a neighborhood that's frequented by Girl Scouts, then perhaps all you have to do is wait for your doorbell to ring. If not, chances are you probably know someone who knows a Girl Scout (a parent or sibling of one, perhaps?). Assuming that's the case, then you should be able to buy cookies directly that way. Consider asking around on social media or talking to parents whose children may be involved with the Girl Scout Cookies program.
Girl Scout cookies are only sold for a limited time during the year, as always, so I'd say step on it before it's too late. Happy munching!
