It’s that time of year again! No, not Groundhog Day (though that’s coming up February 2). Time to order delicious Girl Scout cookies!

Let’s delve into the history of how Girl Scouts came to be, but most importantly on why we now have these mouth watering cookies today.

Founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, Girl Scouts grew to what it is today. After meeting in 1911 with Robert Baden-Powell who founded boy scouting, Low thought of the idea which has become Girl Scouts. Low started building on her idea with a distant cousin, the event leading to the famous Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts work toward helping the community and learning all there is to know about friendship. As many know, Girl Scouts earn patches; these patches represent the activities they have done with their troop. For example, Girl Scouts get patches for staying at the zoo, but we can’t forget, of course, the selling of Girl Scout cookies—the organization’s biggest annual fundraiser.

Some of the Girl Scout cookie varieties include Thin Mints, Samoa’s, S’mores, Tagalongs, Trefoils, Savannah Smiles, and Do-si-dos. Each cookie has a unique flavor. For example, Samoa’s is a crunchy, caramel cookie topped with coconut. Thin Mints are the minty cookies with a chocolate covering that everyone loves.

The annual cookie fundraiser had humble origins when a troop held a homemade cookie sale in 1917. Soon after, others troops began baking and selling their own cookies until the event became nationalized and cookie production shifted to commercial bakeries.

Recently a survey was put out to 50 Beaver Area High School students: What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?

Thin Mints (which have been in the Girl Scout lineup since 1939) took first place with 58.3 percent while Samoa’s and S’mores tied in second place. Finally, Tagalongs and Trefoils tied for a distant third.

Sophomore Jeffrey Allison said, “Thin Mints and Samoa’s are nice, but they run out really quick.”

Jeff is right, and many would love it if Girl Scout cookie boxes contained more cookies. The more Girl Scout cookies, the more enjoyment, right?

Looking for your cookie fix conveniently in school? Place an order with Mrs. Bixler whose daughter is selling Girl Scout cookies. Cookies are $5 a box and should arrive by mid-February.