It’s Girl Scout Cookie Season once again.

It seems like everyone has their favorite and looks forward to receiving their boxes each year, but the program is about more than just cookies.

Last year, Girl Scouts nationwide raised $750 million on cookie sales alone. In Mississippi, Girl Scouts sold $3.8 million worth of cookies.

The girls who participate in the program gain life experience from the three months a year they sell the cookies.

They are completely in charge of the program and work with the “Cookie Mom” to keep track of orders and revenue.

The girls in the troop make a decision as a group of where to sell, how to market their cookie booths and what to do with the money collected.

In the past, this money has been used to help their community and to also help their fellow scouts.

The girls plan what their financial goal is going to be and decide on a plan to reach that goal.

It instills confidence and knowledge in these young girls and teaches them skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

It also shows these girls that they can become business owners and leaders.

The scouts are already giving them the building blocks to achieve their lifelong dreams.

Even if they never go into business, it teaches the future generation of women how to be financially smart, something the world needs in this economy.

Did you know Hillary Clinton, Sandra Day O’Connor, Sally Ride, Martha Stewart, Mary Tyler Moore, Katie Couric, Lucille Ball and Barbara Walters were all Girl Scouts?

These are smart, successful women who have either built their own successful businesses or held powerful government positions.

The Girl Scouts have influenced over 3.2 million girls and counting in 92 countries.

So when you pass by a Girl Scout cookie booth, buy a box of cookies.

Not only because of the yummy, sweet treat, but because of what that cookie sale will mean to your community.