Girl Scout cookie sales have resumed, following a two-year hiatus due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections throughout the nation and mountaintop communities.

However, with COVID infections now trending downward in California, Girl Scouts and their troop leaders were seen in front of grocery outlets in Crestline, Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs over the three-day President’s Day weekend, selling boxes of their classic family favorites, such as Thin Mints, Samoas/Caramel deLites, Lemonades and this year’s new addition, Adventurefuls.

Girl Scouts from Crestline Girl Scout Troop 1062 were encountered in front of Goodwin’s Market around 2 p.m. last Saturday and, though they had only been there a short time, had already sold over 20 boxes of Girl Scout cookies at $5 per box.

When asked what her troop would do with the profits from the cookie sale, Maddy Wilson, who attends Valley of Enchantment Elementary School, said, “It helps us make stuff and do fun things.” Maddy’s mom, Heather Wilson, added, “This year, we are going horseback riding at camp in July.”

Earlier in the day on Saturday, girls belonging to Troop 1263 in Grand Terrace, accompanied by their moms, came to Crestline to sell their cookies at Goodwin’s. Thirteen-year-old seventh grader Megan Moon said she’s been coming to Crestline since she was 7 years old because “we always sell good here. We’ve sold 1,500 boxes here and Grand Terrace and we’re beginning to run out.”

On Sunday afternoon, Lake Arrowhead Girl Scout Troop 10 was set up in front of Stater Bros. Market. According to volunteer mom Victoria Wulfman, this year’s best sellers are Thin Mints, Caramel deLites and the new Adventurefils. Wulfman’s daughter, Aria, said the money they raise will be used for a trip to the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park. When asked what the members of her troop do at their weekly meetings, Annabelle Moore said, “Sometimes we make stuff, like bird feeders made out of pipe cleaners that are strung with Cheerios.”

For the past two seasons, girl entrepreneurs hosted virtual cookie booths and drive-through, contactless cookie stands, as well as learned about the distribution process behind food delivery services like Door Dash.

According to interim GSUSA CEO Judith Batty, “In 2021, Girl Scouts created new ways to be successful in their cookie businesses so they could continue to use their cookie funds to power experiences like camp, troop activities and service projects in their communities. We are inspired by the resilience and ingenuity of Girl Scouts and we cannot wait to see the girl-led innovations in the 2022 Girl Scout cookie program. You may see cookies, but we see leadership and adventure in each box.”

Girl Scout cookies will continue to be sold through the end of March. However, with product availability dwindling, local Girl Scout troops may run out before then. To order online, visit the organization’s website at: www.girlsscouts.org