Girl Scouts this year are exchanging cookie sales for the experience of working in a courtroom. The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago host a yearly event called Project Law Track that gives young girls in 6-12 grade the opportunity to put together a case and argue it in a court.

Each girl is paired up with a female attorney who will mentor them throughout the program and educate them further about the legal process. They put together a case and presented it in the Dirksen Federal Building before a real judge.

Around 40 girls participated this year. For several of them, it was their first time participating in Project Law Track. Many stated that the experience was enjoyable and empowering.

The goal of the program is to inspire girls and teach them key skills such as communication and critical thinking. Even if the girls don’t intend to go into law at any point in their lives, it is still important for them to learn these things. It helps with letting the girls know their voices have power.