This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Open Houses and Special Deals for National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend!

The cookies are back in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, but that’s not the only exciting news --Β this year, Girl Scouts of the USA declared February 7-9, 2014, to be National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend!

Every Girl Scout council around the country is gearing up for special events to celebrate the holiday. As the Girl Scout council that achieved the highest per-girl average number of boxes of cookies sold in 2013, the San Gorgonio Council is at the forefront of the celebrations.

Inland Empire cookie lovers are invited to join Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio at one of the four Service Center open house parties to be held in Redlands, Murrieta, Victorville and Palm Desert on Friday, February 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. These National Girl Scout Cookie Day celebrations are free and open to the public.

Β Come enjoy the new Cranberry Citrus Crisps, complete with 9 grams of whole grains, before purchasing boxes from local Girl Scouts for your own cookie stash. Visitors can also buy the new Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Shortbread cookies; only a select twenty councils throughout the country sell these delicious new additions – and GSSGC is one of them!

Find out what's happening in Redlands-Loma Lindafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Learn about the Cookie Entrepreneurial programΒ and the five essential life skills girls develop from running their own businesses: money management, business ethics, goal setting, decision making and people skills.

On Saturday February 8 and Sunday, February 9 the celebrations continue with three brand-new drive-thru cookie kiosks, plus amazing deals from local businesses. Girl Scouts will be appearing at cookie booths conveniently located at neighborhood grocery and convenience stores. Until then, girls will be selling cookies in their neighborhoods, and among friends and family, and at booths during Super Bowl Weekend. Since last Sunday, January 26, Girl Scouts could be seen in their local neighborhoods greeting neighbors, selling cookies and educating the public about Girl Scouting.

Find out what's happening in Redlands-Loma Lindafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Along with the general public, Girl Scouts themselves are encouraged to attend the open house celebrations and participate in β€œearn and learn” activities. All events are free to attend.

Adults, parents and girls interested in learning more about joining the Girl Scout organization are encouraged to attend information sessions on February 7. Any girl who registers on Friday of National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend will receive her first, free colorful patch commemorating the event.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?