Girl Scout Cookie Controversy

CREATED Feb. 15, 2013

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  • It's a cookie controversy making headlines across the country. A local girl scout is getting scolded for trying to sell cookies online. Video by kmir6.com

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INDIO-- It's a cookie controversy making headlines across the country. A local girl scout is getting scolded for trying to sell cookies online. The Girls Scouts organization say selling cookies online, defeats one of the purposes of the cookie-selling program, which is social skills building. But 11-year-old Emma Vermaak and her mother say the definition of "social skills" has changed.

The Girl Scouts organization told Emma and her mother Kim Reynolds, that she can't sell cookies online, and had to immediately disable her paypal account. Kim says Emma was collecting money for the girl scouts I Care Program, where people purchase the cookies as gifts to be donated to overseas troops. But Emma was told she was not staying within the organizations national guidelines because girls cannot make online sales. The national organization says it must happen in person to build "people" skills.

So is the 100-year-old organization discouraging girls from using technology?

Girl Scouts Spokesperson Michelle Tomkins says, "while girls are encouraged to use the media and social networking under the supervision of their parents to market their cookie program activities online, online sales were not permitted."

Tompkins went on to say that the 790 million dollar cookie program is set up to teach girls five essential skills-- goal setting, decision making, money management, business ethics and people skills. But Emma's mom says in today's world, working online should be encompassed. But even though this issue is being disputed among the adults, Emma says her friends have been supportive.