Girl Scout Cookie Sale Starts Today

Some good news in the heart of winter in Ocean City: Today (Jan. 19) marks the beginning of the annual Girl Scout cookies sale.

Girl Scouts will begin selling Thin Mints, Carmel deLites, Shortbreads and more. All revenue from cookie sales goes directly to local troops, helping them raise money for special activities, field trips and service products. Local troop leaders also integrate the cookie sale program into teaching girls goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and ethics.

Here's want you need to know about Girl Scout Cookie sales this year:

• This year, the price of cookies will be $4 per box, a 50-cent increase from last year.
• Sales start on Jan. 19 in South Jersey. Girls can sell door-to-door if accompanied by an adult, according to local leader Heather Decosta. And you can find troops selling cookies on future dates at , ,  and other local businesses.
• Local troops will sell Carmel deLites, Thin Mints, Tagalongs (peanut butter patties), Lemonades, Shout Outs and Peanut Butter sandwiches.
• While cookie time only lasts through the end of February, cookies have a long shelf time and freeze great.
• If you are not a cookie fan or are planning on sticking to your New Year's diet, many troops are participating in service projects that allow you to buy cookies for Troops serving overseas or another local organization.
• And there is an App for Cookies! Check out the Girl Scout Cookie finder online to get specific dates and locations for cookies sales. You can also download the official Girl Scout Cookie App for the iPhone from iTunes.