Girl Scouts of Nassau County cookie season has begun, and in Uniondale, one young scout is already setting the bar high.
Last year, Phoenix Phillips, 9, sold 119 boxes of cookies — 18 more than the average Girl Scout in Nassau County — a milestone she said made her feel proud and ready for a new season.
“It actually feels so amazing that I sold a lot of boxes,” Phoenix said.
She’s been a Girl Scout for about four years and said she never expected to sell so much, let alone gain the kind of experience she wouldn’t find in a traditional classroom at age 9.
She credits her success to preparation, confidence and learning financial skills through Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts gain opportunities to practice decision-making, money management, social skills and business ethics. All sales stay within Nassau County, powering programs such as community service projects, camp and leadership opportunities.
“When we’re learning how to count money, it helps me manage money,” she said while discussing skills she takes into the classroom.
By being a Girl Scout, her confidence has increased significantly, especially when it comes to public speaking.
“I’m really proud of her,” said Phoenix’s mom, Keisha Phillips. “She has been doing it for a couple of years now, so she is used to going out and experiencing new locations, speaking to different people.
“She’s confident, and I have no negatives about it. She’s more comfortable speaking to the customers, and it helps her on a daily basis as well,” Keisha added.
Starting Feb. 19, cookie booths will pop up at local businesses and community spaces across the county. Each purchase directly supports skill-building opportunities for Girl Scouts from kindergarten through 12th grade, a press release stated.
Phoenix’s favorite flavor is Adventurefuls, a brownie-inspired cookie introduced four years ago.
“If they wanted to buy Adventurefuls, I would say, ‘Adventurefuls have a sweet caramel taste with a hint of salt and chocolate,’” Pheonix said.
While Adventurefuls are her top pick to recommend, Thin Mints remain the crowd favorite. Most of Phoenix’s customers were family, friends, classmates and teachers — with some people buying as many as 20 boxes at once.
Phoenix will also be selling a newer cookie this year called Exploremores, a rocky road ice-cream-inspired sandwich cookie with chocolate, marshmallow and toasted almond-flavored cream, created to represent Girl Scout exploration.
Beyond the numbers and boxes, Phoenix said cookie season helped her learn how to talk to people and handle money.
“The most important thing I learned is how to manage money, and that it makes other people’s day happier,” she said. “I’m actually confident about myself.”
Looking ahead to this year’s cookie season, she said she plans to keep selling to her biggest supporters — and reach new ones, too.
“I’m going to sell to the same people and also sell to more people who want more cookies,” she said. “And my teachers.”
Phoenix said she hopes to one day become a troop leader and help younger girls build the same confidence she’s gained.
“I hope to become a troop leader and help little girls sell more cookies,” she said. “I hope to sell 200 more cookies, so I can help other troups in having more activities so we can have fun throughout the year.”
She also encouraged other girls to get involved — not just for fundraising, but for personal growth.
“The most important thing I learned from selling Girl Scout Cookies is that you always have to be kind and patient with customers,” said Rosaria, local Girl Scout from Levittown.
Rande Bynum, CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County, said cookie season is about more than just treats — it’s about helping girls see what they’re capable of.
“When you see Girl Scouts selling cookies, you may see a tasty treat, but I see Girl Scouts who are building life skills and discovering what they are capable of,” Bynum said. “These Girl Scouts are setting goals, building their confidence and learning how to run their own small business from start to finish. Every box sold helps local Girl Scouts explore their dreams and passions, whether that’s funding a community service project, a new skill they want to explore, or a troop adventure they’ve been working toward.”
