For the second year in a row, a Girl Scout troop in Naknek received the honor of “top-selling troop” for Girl Scouts of Alaska’s nut and candy sale. The troop is trying to raise enough money to attend a Girl Scout camp in the Mat-Su Valley, including the price of airfare to Anchorage, so has worked hard to sell these mixed nuts and candies for the past two pre-Holiday seasons.
If you didn’t know that Girl Scouts sell nuts and candy, in addition to their world-famous cookies, it’s probably because the program was newly implemented in 2011. Also, the nut and candy sale is considered a “friends and family” sale, which means that girls do not sell in public places, but rather take direct orders from family and friends.
Last year, the Naknek Troop sold 465 units of the mixed nut, fruit, and chocolate assortments. They nearly doubled that result this year, selling 860 units and earning $1 per unit for their troop.
Troop leader Karen Pulice credits the support of the Naknek and King Salmon communities for helping the girls achieve their sales goals. “We have a great community, and with Christmas right around the corner many people are buying gifts or stocking stuffers, “ Pulice said. She also noted that many customers have commented on the high quality of the product.
Like Girl Scout cookie sales, nut and candy sales are not just about selling a high quality product. Proceeds from these sales help girls pay for camp, educational and travel programs, and community service projects and scholarships that allow them to help other girls or give to charitable causes.
When Girl Scouts sell products, they also learn important business and life skills, such as goal-setting, financial planning, money management, and customer service. Product sales are a core component of Girl Scouts’ research-backed leadership development program, which teaches girls courage, confidence, character and the decision-making skills they’ll need to be leaders in their own communities and the larger world.
When asked what the Naknek girls enjoy about Girl Scouting, Pulice responded, “I can only speak for my child, who loves working on earning badges, selling to raise money, and being part of something good.”
She added, “None of our girls has been to Girl Scout camp and they all want to go someday. With the high price of airfare it may take a few more sale programs to reach our goal.”
But, their hard work and determination is already paying off, and with the continued support of their community, friends, and family, we have no doubt they will achieve their goal, and learn some valuable lessons along the way.
Congratulations to Troop #5, and to every girl and troop that is working hard to sell nuts, candy, and cookies to reach their goals this year!
Girl Scouting gives every girl the confidence, tools, and experience to discover who she can be and what she can do. Through activities related to science and technology, financial literacy, healthy living, adventure, and citizenship, Girl Scouts of Alaska provides Girl Scouts’ proven leadership development experience to Alaska’s diverse population of girls.
