Girl Scouts of Citrus Launches 2026 Cookies, Debuts Exploremores, Funds Seminole Youth

The Girl Scouts of Citrus kicked off its 2026 cookie season on Jan. 15, unveiling a new cookie called Exploremores and reiterating that revenue from sales remains in the region to fund local programming. For families and community organizations across Seminole County, the season is more than a fundraiser - it is a vehicle for youth development, entrepreneurship training and hands-on STEM and business education.

The council, which serves much of Central Florida including Seminole County, is using the cookie program to emphasize small-business learning and practical skills that scouts translate into community benefit. Cookie proceeds support leadership workshops, outdoor adventures and community-service projects that directly touch Seminole County young people. This localized funding model keeps dollars circulating in the community and underwrites experiences that many families could otherwise find difficult to afford.

Beyond economic impact, the cookie program has public health implications. Leadership and outdoor programs promote physical activity, social connection and resilience, all of which are linked to better mental and physical health outcomes for children and adolescents. Community-service projects foster civic engagement and help address local needs, reinforcing social supports that are key determinants of health. By teaching scouts entrepreneurship and STEM concepts, the council also invests in future workforce readiness and narrows opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect low-income and marginalized youth.

The introduction of Exploremores adds a fresh talking point for scouts practicing sales, marketing and customer communication. Those small-business skills are intentionally paired with STEM and business programming to provide a rounded learning experience that combines financial literacy, critical thinking and teamwork. Keeping cookie revenue local means those lessons are converted into tangible opportunities: scholarships for trips, funding for outdoor equipment and materials for service projects that improve neighborhood spaces.

For Seminole County residents, the cookie season offers a simple way to support local youth while gaining a seasonal treat. Local purchases contribute to a cycle of investment that sends money back into programs, facilities and events serving children in the county. As the season proceeds, the council will continue using cookie sales to finance the next wave of leadership training, outdoor experiences and community initiatives.

What this means for Seminole County is practical and long term: buying a box helps pay for programs that build skills, boost health and expand opportunity for local girls. The cookie season will translate into concrete experiences and resources for Seminole youth in the months ahead.