ALABAMA — Lovers of Girl Scout cookies can rejoice. Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama announced Jan. 2 that Girl Scout Cookie season has officially commenced.

This exciting and busy time of year for the Girl Scouts not only benefits members of the general public who have a sweet tooth, but it also serves as a “powerful entrepreneurship incubator for the next generation of female leaders,” according to Allie Hulcher, communications manager for Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

This season of cookie sales also celebrates the largest financial investment in girls each year in the United States.

Girl Scouts will learn to set and achieve specific goals and hone their entrepreneurial skills in the process. This reaches beyond just booth sales, which will begin Feb. 8, and door-to-door sales. Nowadays, Girl Scouts also learn to sell the famous cookies through digital sales. Girl Scouts will have the chance to accomplish this using the Digital Cookie platform, which is an “innovative and educational web-based addition” to the program, according to a news release.

This partnership between Girl Scouts and their communities generates funds that are put toward various leadership opportunities, adventures and local “passion projects” for Girl Scout troops. The funds also enable them to take part in STEM programs.

“All of the net revenue through the Girl Scout Cookie Program stays with the local council and troops, meaning that when consumers purchase the cookies that come from a registered Girl Scout only, they’re giving back to their wider community,” the news release reads.

Some of these localized projects include supporting animal shelters and food banks. Many Girl Scouts also get involved in local and state politics, playing a part in changing and shaping certain laws. These experiences help provide a firm foundation that can continue driving them to success down the road. Studies have shown that 57 percent of former Girl Scouts in the business world credit their experiences selling cookies as Girl Scouts with helping them develop certain skills that have proved vital to them in their careers. These skills run the gamut from managing money and setting goals to even public speaking.

Classic flavors like Thin Mints, Samoas (Caramel deLites), Tagalongs (Peanut Butter Patties), Do-si-dos (Peanut Butter Sandwiches), Trefoils (Shortbread), S’mores and Savannah Smiles will be returning. Also returning will be Toffee-tastic, the first variety of Girl Scout cookies to be certified gluten-free, introduced in 2015.

Read more on the cookies and their nutritional information at girlscouts.org.

To find Girl Scouts selling cookies near you, call 800-734-4541 or plug in your ZIP code at girlscoutcookies.org. Hungry customers may also use the free, official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for mobile devices.

The following is a list of important dates during the cookie season:

• February 1-3: Cookies on the Move Weekend (girls will be selling door to door)
• February 8: Booth sales begin!
• February 15: Gift of Caring Weekend (cookie donations to the military)
• February 22-24: National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend
• March 1-3: Me and My Guy Booth Sales (a weekend for dads and father-figures to come help with their Girl Scout’s booth sales)