Orlando, FLA. (Feb. 2005)… More than 14,000 Girl Scouts converged on SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks in Florida, California and Texas recently for annual Girl Scout Cookie Kick Offs in those areas.

The purpose of the multi-park Girl Scout Cookie® rallies was to prepare local girls for an amazing activity which enables them to develop important life skills, earn money for activities and have fun. Well known for providing one of America's favorite treats, the Girl Scout Cookie Program is a top business-training program where girls develop important skills such as goal-setting, teamwork, money management, advertising and customer service.

Shamu the killer whale gave the Girls Scouts at the SeaWorld parks a whale-sized send-off while a menagerie of exotic animals kept the excitement going at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

"We are proud our partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens and were honored to host events that encourages young girls to go out into the community and learn life lessons," said Ngaire Heriford, title SeaWorld and Busch Gardens .

"Our partnership with SeaWorld and Busch Gardens is providing girls with a tremendous chance to learn and grow in a beautiful, fun and educational environment. We are very grateful they share our goal to help today's girls become tomorrow's leaders," stated Kathy Cloninger, CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA.

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens also provide experiences for Girl Scouts through the STUDIO 2Bsm destinations programs. Through www.studio2b.org, pre-teen and teen Girl Scouts can find information on SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Adventure Camps and Family Sleepovers that offer up-close and hands-on animal interactions.

-- SeaWorld –

Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent organization for girls with more than 3 million girl and adult members. Now in its 93rd year, Girl Scouting cultivates character, social conscience and self-esteem in girls while teaching them the critical life skills to succeed as adults. In Girl Scouting, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. The organization strives to serve girls from every corner of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. For more information on how to join, volunteer, or donate to the Girl Scouts, call (800) GSUSA 4 U [(800) 478-7248] or visit www.girlscouts.org