Karen Doebling is the Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails regional manager for Los Alamos, White Rock, Espanola, Taos and Angel Fire. A familiar face in the community at girl scout events and activities, she still takes time to rally customers to buy cookies, pictured here at Smith’s Marketplace in Los Alamos with her scouts. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Local Girl Scouts sell cookies at Smith’s Marketplace. This year’s cookie lineup will includes a delectable assortment of classics, including Thin Mints®, Caramel deLites®, Peanut Butter Patties®, and more. Cookies are $5.50 per package, with the exception of our gluten-free, Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies, which are $6.00 per package. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Girl Scout of New Mexico Trails states:

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is more than just a sweet treat; it’s a powerful platform for girls to develop essential life skills. The Girl Scout Cookie Program empowers girls to become successful entrepreneurs. By participating, girls learn invaluable life skills, including:

• Goal Setting: Setting sales goals and developing strategies to achieve them.
  
• Decision-Making: Making choices about how to market their cookies, manage their money, and contribute to their community.
  
• Money Management: Handling finances, making change, and learning about budgeting and savings.
  
• People Skills: Developing communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills through interactions with customers.
  
• Business Ethics: Learning about ethical business practices, including honesty and fair play.
  
• Confidence Building: Gaining self-confidence and public speaking skills through interacting with the public.

These skills are essential for success in both personal and professional endeavors, equipping girls with the tools they need to thrive in the future.