MIQUON, PA — Cookie season is back across eastern Pennsylvania, and this year it arrives with both a new flavor and a nod to history as Girl Scouts mark the launch of their 2026 campaign.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania officially opened sales this week, unveiling Exploremores, a rocky road ice cream–inspired sandwich cookie that joins the iconic lineup. The new offering features chocolate cookies filled with marshmallow and toasted almond–flavored crème, a debut meant to capture the spirit of exploration at the heart of the Girl Scout mission.
The annual cookie program is the organization’s largest fundraiser, powering troop activities, travel, service projects, and summer camp experiences. Proceeds from sales remain local, supporting programs across the region.
“This is a season many people look forward to for good reason,” said Kim E. Fraites-Dow, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. She said the cookie program does more than satisfy a sweet tooth, serving as a cornerstone of the council’s work to build leadership and entrepreneurial skills among girls.
The 2026 season also carries added symbolism as the organization honors America’s 250th anniversary by spotlighting the origins of the Girl Scout Cookie. The first known sale took place in Philadelphia in 1933, when local Girl Scouts baked and sold cookies at the Philadelphia Gas and Electric Company. The idea was later adopted nationwide in 1936, becoming the program recognized today.
Alongside Exploremores, cookie fans can still find longtime favorites, including Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Adventurefuls, Lemonades, Trefoils, and the gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip cookie.
Cookies are priced at $6 per package for most varieties, with the gluten-free option at $7. Sales run through March 8.
Consumers can buy cookies directly from local Girl Scouts, locate nearby booths, or order for shipment using the Girl Scout Cookie Finder. Shoppers can also text COOKIES to 59618 for updates throughout the season.
More information on purchasing cookies or supporting local troops is available at https://www.gsep.org/cookies. Girls in grades kindergarten through 12 who want to participate can also learn how to join or volunteer at https://www.gsep.org/join.
As the season unfolds, the familiar boxes once again carry more than cookies—each sale fuels opportunities for the next generation of leaders while celebrating a tradition that began nearly a century ago in Philadelphia.
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