WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Girl Scouts faced an unusual problem this year: unsold cookies.
Like many vendors, the 109-year-old organization fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected its spring selling season since troops weren’t able to set up cookie booths or canvas door-to-door due to health and safety reasons. Local councils and troops depend on cookie sales to fund programming, travel, camps and other activities. But this year, instead of selling 200 million boxes, the scouts were in danger of being left with only crumbs.
To help combat the slow sales, Washington, D.C., waterfront neighborhood The Yards stepped in and hosted its inaugural Cookie Jamboree.
"After seeing the news about how negatively impacted Girl Scout cookie sales were by the pandemic, The Yards reached out to Girl Scouts Nation's Capital to see how we could help our local chapter,” explained Jill Fredrick, marketing director at Brookfield Properties, developer of The Yards. “We are so inspired by this community of girls and adult mentors who are working to make the world a better place and wanted to help in any way we could. And who can say no to Girl Scout cookies and fun activities with family and friends?"
On July 15, attendees of all ages gathered to take part in camp-inspired activities such as friendship bracelet-making, inflatable archery, relay races, dance parties and of course cookie eating.
Plus, local restaurants competed to make the best cookie-themed cocktail. Shilling Canning Co.'s “Thick Mint” beat out drinks made by Bammy’s, Osteria Morini and Stadium Sports Bar and Smokehouse. Ice Cream Jubilee was also on hand, serving up its signature scoops topped with pieces of Girl Scout cookies.
Keep scrolling to see more from The Yards’ Girl Scout Cookie Jamboree.