I am a Girl Scout leader of an inner city troop here in Kansas City MO. I approached the cookie sale as a way to teach the girls how to set goals and work toward those goals; and what happens when you do/don't make that goal...what is Plan B. I didn't even tell them about the prizes. I came to them as it being a way to make money for the troop because we do get a small amount from each box of cookies sold. Some of my girls were not even able to pay the registration fee or buy the vest/sash they are suppose to wear as a uniform. But with the little bit of money we raised from selling the cookies, I'm able to purchase a sash for a girl whose mother is not able to or pay for a girl to go to camp who wants to go, but may not be able to pay. It also teaches girls who doesn't have someone around them to teach them how to have a simple conversation or approach someone the correct way--like a lady. It teaches them the power of a conversation because they have to be able to tell the person about the cookies, how much they cost, etc. I tell the girls (and parents) that they are responsible for selling the cookies and I make sure I don't make it a competition. Our goal was 2,000 (they set it); we sold around 1,000. I was proud of them!