Local Girl Scout troop to use cookie sales to learn cooking, gardening
As cookie season comes to a close, South Cheatham’s only local Girl Scout troop is looking ahead to how this year’s proceeds will support badges, service projects and future adventures.
As cookie season comes to a close, South Cheatham’s only local Girl Scout troop is looking ahead to how this year’s proceeds will support badges, service projects and future adventures.
The troop, co-led by Michele Hayward Morgan, includes eight girls — seven of them fifth graders and one sixth grader who all attend Harpeth Middle School. Morgan said keeping middle schoolers engaged is a priority.
“Middle school is that awkward stage,” Morgan said. “I try to keep them involved and let them take ownership of what we’re doing.”
So far this year, the troop has completed first aid and entrepreneurship badges. The first aid badge included a presentation from Caitlin Dumond at the Kingston Springs Fire Department, while the girls visited Dollhouse Salon in downton Kingston Springs for their entrepreneurship badge.
The girls are planning to work toward cooking and gardening badges with their cookie sale money. Ideas include partnering with local restaurants for demonstrations, participating in a community-based cooking effort to give back to those in need, and visiting a local garden to learn more about growing food.
According to Morgan, cookie proceeds also help cover badge materials, troop activities and registration fees, which recently increased. The troop has used funds in the past for a summer pool party, food donations and contributions to “Gift of Caring,” which helps offset costs for other Girl Scouts.
Morgan said the flexibility of the program allows girls to shape their own experiences.
“They’re getting older, so I want them to make decisions,” she said. “Hopefully this is something that keeps them grounded together.”
When asked what they enjoy most about being Girl Scouts, troop members said they like helping their community, cleaning up nature and earning badges tied to personal interests — from animal care to attending Scout days at Vanderbilt games.
The troop's final booths will take place March 6-8. On Friday, March 6 they will be at Lawrence Foods from 5 to 7 p.m. On Saturday March 7, they will be at Dollhouse Salon from 10 a.m. to noon and United Community Bank in Pegram from 1 to 3 p.m. Your final chance to get cookies will be Sunday, March 8 from noon to 3 at Lawerence Foods.
