Stu News Newport: Girl Scouts of OC kick off national cookie season by welcoming Exploremores™ to the cookie line-up and Adobe as national sponsor
Kristin Osuna-Larson, Troop 3203, Newport-Mesa Service Unit, Girl Scouts of Orange County (second from left) with (L-R) Hellen R., Chloe L. and Angel E., who are members of a Girl Scout Troop from the Newport-Mesa Service Unit.
January 25, 2026
More than 800 Orange County Girl Scouts, family members and volunteers gathered at Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove on Sunday, Jan. 11 to kick off the 2026 Cookie Season. The headliner of the event was the newest addition to the cookie line-up, Exploremores™. Inspired by rocky road ice cream, the sandwich cookie features flavors of chocolate, marshmallow and toasted almond-flavored crème. In addition to the new Exploremores™, the 2026 cookie line-up includes fan favorites such as Thin Mints®, Caramel deLites®, Peanut Butter Patties® and more.
“Watching these little girls grow to amazing young women has been an absolute honor for me,” said Kristin Osuna-Larson, Troop 3203, Newport-Mesa Service Unit, Girl Scouts of Orange County. [She is referring to the women pictured with her above.]
“The Girl Scout Cookie Program is one of the most powerful ways girls learn by doing,” said Vikki Shepp, Ed.D., chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Orange County. “From kindergarten through high school, girls build real-world entrepreneurial skills like goal setting, money management, and ethical decision-making. These experiences don’t just prepare them to run a business; they prepare them to lead and become impactful members of their communities.”
“I’ve learned so much from selling cookies, and it’s helped provide my troop with memorable experiences like going to Camp Sherman, bonding at overnights around Southern California and connecting with our community,” said Kinley, a Girl Scout from Irvine.
Girls in grades K-12 kicked off the season with a cookie-themed fashion show, a dance-off among top cookie sellers and CEO Vikki Shepp. Ed.D., and more. The Girl Scout Cookie Program in Orange County is presented locally through support from Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, Great Wolf Lodge, Total Environmental Management, Inc. and Wild Rivers.
As the national sponsor of the 2026 cookie program, Adobe will encourage girls to express their individuality and think creatively as they pursue their goals this cookie season. Through a national educational video featured on the Digital Cookie® platform, Adobe will equip Girl Scouts with essential skills in online communication and responsible digital design.
Girl Scouts of Orange County will be selling and delivering cookies January 25 through March 15. All proceeds from cookie sales stay with local councils and troops to power Girl Scouts’ amazing experiences year-round. Learn more about cookie sales near you at www.cookiesoc.org.
