Girl Scout Troop 2506 is gearing up for cookie season while continuing to build a strong sense of community, leadership and confidence among its members. 

The troop, led by Susie Tompkins-McDonald, includes 12 girls ranging in age from 5 to 14, along with two Juliette Girl Scouts who participate independently but remain part of the wider Girl Scout family. 

“The older girls are fantastic at supporting and inspiring the younger ones,” Tompkins-McDonald said. “It’s a lovely mix.” 

This year also marks a milestone for Tompkins-McDonald, who is celebrating her 50th year in scouting. 

“It represents a lifetime of friendship, resilience, adventure and community,” she said of Girl Scouts. “Bringing that experience from England to Bonners Ferry has been a true passion of mine.” 

Cookie season officially begins March 27, with booth sales running through April 19. Booths will be set up locally at Super 1 Foods, Safeway, Tractor Supply and Grocery Outlet. Booth hours are noon to 4 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Cookies are priced at $6 per box.  

Cookie sales play a major role in funding Girl Scout programs, making up about 70% of the council’s annual budget. Proceeds stay local, supporting individual girls, their troops and regional programming, including camps and financial assistance. 

“It’s an important time for us,” said Brian Newberry, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and North Idaho. “In about two months, we fund our movement for the next 365 days.” 

Newberry said the cookie program teaches girls valuable skills in entrepreneurship, goal setting and communication. 

“We give girls opportunities to lead, to build confidence and to experience the world,” he said. “About one out of two of our girls go on to become business leaders.” 

He added that community support plays a key role in the program’s success. 

“When you buy a cookie from a girl, you’re supporting that girl right in front of you,” Newberry said. “It helps her troop, her community and the experiences she’ll have throughout the year.” 

Customers also have the option to support service members through the Girl Scouts’ “troop to troop” program, which allows them to purchase cookies that are donated to military members overseas. 

“It’s an incredible program,” Newberry said. “Those cookies make their way to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, and it really brings a taste of home to those serving abroad.” 

At the local level, parents say those lessons are evident. 

“The girls learn practical skills that will help them grow into contributing members of the community,” said Cassandra Easley, a parent of one of the scouts. 

Recent troop activities have included sewing personalized book bags, preparing meals together, and organizing cookie booths. Easley said the program also focuses on character development, including lessons on kindness, communication, and respect. 

For many participants, the troop provides a sense of belonging. 

“My daughter had no interest in meeting new people but wanted to be part of something,” Easley said. “After one meeting, she had five new friends.” 

Despite its success, the troop faces challenges, particularly the lack of a consistent meeting space. Currently, meetings are held in Tompkins-McDonald’s home, with supplies kept in a storage unit. 

The troop hopes to find a permanent space that is safe, reliable and large enough for crafts, activities and cooking lessons. 

“The biggest support we could receive right now would be access to a consistent meeting space,” Tompkins-McDonald said. 

Community members can also help by supporting cookie sales, volunteering, offering space for events, or sharing skills with the girls. 

“We are always open to welcoming new girls and volunteers,” she said. “The more support we have, the more opportunities we can create.” 

Troop leaders say the impact of Girl Scouts goes far beyond cookies. 

“This troop is about building strong, confident young women who support one another and give back to their community,” Tompkins-McDonald said. “It truly matters because it helps shape their futures in a positive and lasting way.”