Girl Scouts satisfy campus cookie fix

Every year they appear out of nowhere, to bring just what the University community needs to survive the long, cold days of February -- Girl Scout cookies. Ruth and David Snyder have spent two to three days a week for four weeks during the past five years to provide the University with its annual cookie fix. Yesterday was the last day of the 1994 cookie sale. And the Snyders said they sold approximately 4,370 boxes of cookies, at $2.50 a box -- their best year yet. The Snyders have two daughters, Laurie, 14, and Julie, 10, who are active in the Scouts and in the cookie sale. But, the Snyders, who have a prime cookie-selling spot at the corner of 37th Street and Locust Walk, are usually seen without their daughters, because the two are in school. The girls get credit for selling the cookies -- about 20,000 boxes in the past five years by David Snyder's estimate -- and have been presented with awards on board the Spirit of Philadelphia and at a Phillies baseball game. In return for the family's efforts, the girls get five weeks free at a Girl Scout sleepaway camp during the summer. The Snyders are both registered nurses, and say that because they have flexible schedules, they can take the time they need to sell so many cookies. "I got a lot out of scouting when I was a kid," David Snyder said yesterday as the last few boxes of cookies were flying off their table. "This is my way of giving back to scouting what I got out of it." Both Snyders said they enjoy selling cookies because of the people they meet on campus. "Every encounter here is different," David Snyder said. "The population is so international." "It's far from North Philly," his wife added. Ruth Snyder said the top selling cookies at the stand are Thin Mints, a perennial favorite, and Samoas, thin cookies covered in caramel, coconut and chocolate. Another best seller was Juliettes, chocolate cookies covered with crushed pecans and caramel and dipped in chocolate, which debuted this year. David Snyder said after they started selling on Locust Walk four years ago, they have been the top sellers in the city. College senior Scott Cabat bought a box of Do-Si-Dos from the Snyders yesterday. "I've always been a fan of peanut butter cookies and no one makes them better than the Girl Scouts." Cabat said he would finish his box of cookies by the time he reaches his house at 39th and Pine streets. He added, though, that he would save three for his roommate. "It's important to share your cookies with your friends," he said. "Want one?" Wharton freshman Geoffrey Lai purchased the last box of cookies, Samoas, at about 5 p.m. Coming to the University from Hong Kong, Lai had never seen Girl Scout cookies before this year, and bought three boxes after a friend introduced him to them. "It tastes good," Lai said. "That's why I buy it." After having to break the news that the cookie sale was over to disappointed Thin Mint seekers, the Snyders folded up their table, until next year. Persistent cookie lovers will not have to wait that long, however, if they are willing to travel for their cookies. According to the Snyders, southern New Jersey Girl Scout troops hold their annual cookie sale in the fall.