It’s OK to politely decline doing business.

That’s what Kimberly Vaughan, the coordinator of Juneau’s Girl Scouts cookie program, wants the public to know when they encounter a scout at the front door or grocery store in the coming months.

“But you don’t have to not make eye contact with them,” Vaughan said. “It’s good to be able to at least tell them, ‘Hi,’ as you walk by and not just ignore them. That’s part of their learning process, they know not all the people that walk by are going to be buying cookies.”

Friday marked the first official day of the Girl Scouts of Alaska’s cookie sales. Scouts go door-to-door throughout the month taking orders, which arrive in town at the end of February before booth sales begin in March.

In addition to funding Girl Scouts projects, cookie sales foster five skills for the youth: goal setting, business ethics, money management, decision making and people skills.

This year’s cookie lineup will feature eight cookies — Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos, Trefoils, Savannah Smiles, S’mores, Toffee-tastic — according to Girl Scouts of Alaska spokesperson Becca Pilipchuk. Pilipchuk said Juneau sold just over 35,000 boxes of cookies last year, roughly 8 percent of the total sales in Alaska. As is the case across the organization, Thin Mints were the most sought after treat.

Vaughan said most of the troops in Juneau — there are 21 in all — reap the majority of their sales from the booths. Vaughan said don’t worry if your house was missed during the Jan. 11-27 pre-sales period — there will be lots sold at the grocery stores.

“Juneau (Girl Scouts) have learned that even though the pre-sales were going down, that Juneau still eats a certain amount of cookies,” Vaughan said. “We have what we call a cookie cupboard and that’s for troops to get more cookies if they sell out of the cookies that they thought they needed.”

Pilipchuk said it’s important to engage with the Girl Scouts, not just hand them a $5 bill for a box of cookies.

“Ask the girls how they’re going to use their earnings from the cookie sale,” Pilipchuk said. “The girls plan each year using cookie proceeds — what trips they want to take, what community service projects they want to help with — so they’ll be excited to share their goals with you. Make eye contact and ask questions about what they’re selling and let them explain it to you – this teaches great business and people skills.”

• Contact reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com.

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• Contact reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nainsworth@juneauempire.com.

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