A news story in the Dispatch Friday reported that a decision the Minnesota Girl Scout council made on selling some of its camps because of funding has upset one Scout to the point that she and others in her troop plan to sit out the big annual cookie sale that starts Saturday. 

This troop is out of the St. Paul suburb of Maplewood. The idea is catching on among other members of the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys council to sit out of the cookie sales.

My daughter is in Girl Scouts in Brainerd and I for one would never take away from her the opportunity to sell cookies. Selling cookies is a way for her to earn money and incentives to go to Girl Scout camps and other activities. This past fall our troop No. 852 went to the Mall of America to “Sleeping with the Sharks,” and it was a great experience for her. All paid with funds the troop made from selling cookies for the past few years.

The only way I would not allow her to sell cookies is if she didn’t want to. But that is not the case, she loves it. She has learned a lot of skills by selling the cookies that include communication and safety (such as not going to a household where she does not know the people by herself) and it also helps her build confidence. Then there are the skills she learns at the Girl Scout outings. I cannot even begin to tell you how much she has learned.

So for the mom or other moms who won’t let their girls sell cookies, it is your decision, but just take a minute to think about what your decision will have on your daughter. Yes, I do not like that the Girl Scouts organization is selling off camps, but it is a decision that the organization has to make. We all know in these tough economic times we all have to cut something out somewhere.

Selling cookies in these times may be tough, but for anyone who loves the Girl Scout cookies — I know I do — we appreciate your support in buying cookies.