Helping girls find their confidence, one cookie box at a time

Brownie Girl Scout Troop 72658 Article & Photos

Research shows that, around the age of 8, many girls begin to lose confidence. They start to doubt themselves, speak up less often, and question whether they belong, especially in spaces where they feel different or unsure.

Brownie Girl Scout Troop 72658 is working to change that story for the girls in our community.

With 18 girls in the troop, these second- and third-graders are at an important age. Through Girl Scouts, they are learning that their voices matter, their ideas have value, and they deserve to feel confident walking into any room. The goal is simple but powerful: To help each girl believe she belongs wherever she chooses to be.

Girl Scouts provides a space where girls are encouraged to try new things, even things that may feel challenging or unfamiliar. Troop 72658 is helping girls build confidence in areas where they are often excluded, including automotive engineering, robotics and coding. Through hands-on activities and badge work, the girls learn that curiosity, problem-solving and leadership are not limited by gender. They learn that they are capable.

The troop’s annual cookie sale plays an important role in making these experiences possible. Every box of cookies sold helps fund badge work, learning opportunities, and activities that allow girls to explore new skills and discover what they enjoy. Through these experiences, the girls gain more than knowledge – they gain confidence in themselves.

Beyond technical skills, the girls are also learning who they are and how to care for others. They learn to appreciate differences, support one another, and practice kindness. They are taught that being confident does not mean being perfect, but being willing to try, learn and grow.

That confidence extends into the community. Troop 72658 puts its values into action through service projects and local initiatives. Since 2023, the girls have donated hundreds of items to food pantries and shelters, shared cookies with community organizations, created kindness cards, planted flowers, and participated in activities that support people and the environment. These projects reinforce an important lesson: Confidence grows when you know you can make a difference.

“Our goal is for these girls to feel comfortable taking up space,” a troop volunteer noted. “We want them to walk into any room and know they belong there. Girl Scouts helps give them that opportunity.”

Cookie season has just begun, and Troop 72658 is once again selling cookies throughout the community. Every purchase supports experiences that help girls build confidence, discover their strengths, and believe in themselves.

Community members can support the troop by purchasing cookies for themselves or donating a box to someone in need through the troop’s online cookie link. Residents can also find the girls selling cookies around the community in March.

At an age when confidence can quietly slip away, Brownie Girl Scout Troop 72658 is helping girls hold onto it, grow it, and carry it forward into whatever future they choose.