Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and the United Service Organizations of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia recognized some special Girl Scouts on April 15 at the Virginia Zoo.

Girls who sold more than 108 boxes of Gift of Caring Girl Scout Cookies, cookies purchased by customers to be donated to the USO, received a thank-you certificate from USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Moran. The girls loaded two USO vans with some of the donated boxes. In total, 27,461 boxes will be given to our service men and women through the organization.

“This means a very, very great deal to the USO,” Paula said during the ceremonial donation. “Those Girl Scout Cookies mean home, comfort and they are just delicious! Thank you so much for going that extra mile for your service members.”

After the cookies filled the van, the go-getter Girl Scouts were treated to a VIP session with the zoo’s only sloth, KC. Girl Scouts learned more about KC and took photos with her. Girl Scout Cadette Maureen Keller, the top Gift of Caring Cookie seller, even shared the stage with KC.

Later that morning, more than 1,000 Girl Scouts arrived to spend their Sunday at the zoo. Girls worked on badges and journeys throughout the day with the help of zoo experts. Stations were set up at various locations where girls were able to interact one-on-one with organizations like Butterfly Society of Virginia in order to learn more about the animals, their habits and how Girl Scouts can help protect the animals and their homes.

Spending time outdoors is a large part of the Girl Scout experience. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute, “monthly involvement in the outdoors contributes to girls’ leadership development.” With days like Zoo Fest, Girl Scouts are exposed to the outdoors in a new and exciting way.