VENTURA & MONTEREY, CA — Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast Girl Scout Council today announced that local Girl Scouts will be offering customers a premium selection of the six best-selling Girl Scout Cookies of all time during this year’s Cookie Program starting January 15 — March 20, 2011. Girl Scout Cookie Rallies and Bake-Off events will be held throughout the council in celebration beginning this weekend.

“The Girl Scout Cookie Sale is America’s cookie sale,” said Sherry Sybesma, Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast. “For girls, the cookie sale is an opportunity to have fun with friends, to be responsible for money, and to set goals to fund activities, travel and service projects.”

In recent years, the council has offered eight cookie varieties. However, cookie bakery research shows that nearly all Girl Scout Cookie customers have a favorite among these bestsellers, known as the

Super Six:
• Thin Mints
• Samoas®
• Tagalongs®
• Trefoils
• Do-si-dos®
• Lemon Chalet Cremes™

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a hands-on leadership and business program for girls. This cookie season, girls will also learn the business basics behind offering the Super Six. By focusing on America’s most beloved cookie favorites and streamlining delivery, the council is making the program easier for girls and busy volunteers.

“The Girl Scout Cookie Sale is the only event I know of in which a non-profit raises a significant part of the money it needs to fund its mission in a way that actually moves that mission forward,” Sybesma added. “Most fundraising happens outside the mission, but when consumers purchase Girl Scout Cookies, they are playing an active role in helping girls develop the skills and attitudes they need to become leaders in their own lives and the wider world.”

Through the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls set goals, and girls decide how to use the money they earn. Many successful businesswomen and community leaders credit Girl Scout Cookies for teaching them the life skills they use today.

While Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast will follow trends which indicate that the five core cookie varieties (Thin Mints, Samoas®, Tagalongs®, Trefoils, and Do-si-dos®) appeal to more than 80 percent of cookie customers, based on local customer preferences, the council has also chosen to include a sixth cookie, Lemon Chalet Cremes™.

Girl Scout Cookie proceeds also help the council support volunteers, provide girl scholarships, and maintain program centers. Cookie boothing will be held February 25—March 20. To learn more about the Girl Scout Cookie Program, or to order cookies, call: 800-822-2427, or visit: www.girlscoutsccc.org. Register for Girl Scout Cookie Rallies at: www.girlscoutsccc.org.