The new “Lemon-Up” Girl Scout cookie carries a variety of motivational messages that reflect the Girl Scout experience. — Submitted photo

Local Girl Scouts will kick off their 103rd cookie sale in early January, and will be offering a brand new cookie: Lemon-Ups, in addition to seven other classic favorites this year.

Girls will begin selling online on January 3 and face to face on January 9, with cookies arriving around February 15 to March 8.

“The Girl Scout Cookie Sale is a quintessential Girl Scout experience, right up there with community service, attending camp and earning badges. The important business and financial literacy skills girls learn through the program are proven to build their leadership skills and position them for success in the future. When you purchase cookies you are helping girls power their Girl Scout experience and you’re supporting female entrepreneurs,” said Denise Schemenauer, CEO of Girl Scouts of Manitou Council.

In addition to the classic favorites, this year, Manitou Council Girl Scouts will be selling a brand new cookie: Lemon-Ups. Girl Scout Lemon-Ups are a crispy lemon cookie baked with message inspired by Girl Scout entrepreneurs. “I am a go-getter” and “I am an innovator” are among the eight phrases that bring the experience of Girl Scouting to life.

More information is available at www.girlscoutcookies.org.

Girl Scouts of Manitou is the largest girl-serving organization in the Lake Michigan western shoreline area. One in every three girls in every elementary school in the council is a Girl Scoutcil.