If you’ve bought Girl Scout cookies in Mill Creek lately, chances are you’ve met Troop 41708 — and maybe even helped fund something a little bigger than Thin Mints and Adventurefuls. This group of 11 fourth-grade Girl Scouts has been together since kindergarten, and their bond is just as strong as their sense of purpose. Troop 41708 is made up of girls from Mill Creek Elementary, Cedar Wood Elementary, and Northshore Christian Academy, and while they may attend different schools, Girl Scouts is what brings them together. Over the years, they’ve built lasting friendships through camping trips, badge activities, cookie booths, and plenty of laughter along the way.

Ask the girls what they love most about being a Girl Scout, and the answers come fast. “Selling cookies, going to camp, and doing activities for badges,” says Evie. Annie agrees, adding, “I like how all my friends are in the troop — and I also like eating Girl Scout cookies!” At the heart of it all is fun, freedom, and the chance to try new things together.

Camping is a big deal for this troop. Their top priority every cookie season is earning enough to attend camp together at Girl Scouts of Western Washington camps in both the fall and spring. Once camp is covered, they love choosing special adventures like snow tubing or horseback riding. Camp, they say, is where independence, creativity, and confidence really grow. “I really like the activities at camp, like archery, art, and s’mores,” shares Ava R. From campfire singalongs to hands-on exploration, the memories are endless — and sometimes hilarious. Anora recalls burning her marshmallow so badly it “totally disintegrated,” while Clara fondly remembers creating a pretend restaurant called Oyster Bay Café using beach treasures at Camp Robbinswold. Vivian adds, “My favorite thing was staying at the Barnacle Bay unit at Camp Robbinswold and playing with the crab and other animals on the beach.”

Cookie season plays a huge role in making these experiences possible. Maggie enjoys meeting customers and reaching her goals, while Evie loves earning prizes. But the girls also understand that cookie sales mean more than rewards. “I hope people realize that they are supporting our Girl Scout community and not just getting cookies,” Maggie shares. This year their cookie sales are supporting something especially meaningful: a service project focused on helping restore the Western Bluebird population at Camp Robbinswold, located along the shores of Hood Canal. The girls will use funds to build, paint, and install birdhouses in an open hillside area that is part of the camp’s carefully managed forest. While the space may look newly opened, it is the result of small-scale, sustainable forestry practices that help maintain healthy habitat diversity and support long-term care of the camp. These open and semi-open areas are especially important for species like Western Bluebirds. 

Along the way, the girls will research bluebirds, learn about their habitats and needs, and present their findings to other Girl Scouts. The troop hopes the project will ultimately earn them the Girl Scout Bronze Award. Why birds? For some girls, the answer is simple. “Because I like birds,” Annie says. Others see the bigger picture. Ava K. explains, “Wildlife helps the earth by balancing out the environment. Animal extinction is very harmful.” Through this project, the girls hope to learn about conservation, teamwork, responsibility, and even hands-on skills like woodworking and painting.

Of course, Girl Scouts isn’t all work. When it comes to favorite cookies, chocolate lovers reign supreme. Maddie’s pick is Adventurefuls “because I like chocolate,” and the troop is also excited about this year’s new cookie, Exploramores, a rocky-road-inspired sandwich cookie that’s quickly becoming a favorite.

What makes Troop 41708 especially proud is how Girl Scouts has helped them grow. The program’s mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character is clearly alive in this group. They’re excited to give back to a camp they love while helping protect its native wildlife — and to keep making memories together along the way. Their advice to younger kids thinking about joining Girl Scouts? “Don’t be afraid to set a reasonable goal and go for it,” Annie says. Sylvie says it best: “You should do it! You’ll make new friends!” And judging by Troop 41708, that might be the sweetest reward of all.