Fall is creeping up on us ... and that means Girl Scout registration time. Anyone who is a Girl Scout knows that girls, and adults, can discover the fun and adventure of Girl Scouting at any time of the year. However, as school begins, and sport teams, dance classes and other activities regroup for the coming school year, so do many Girl Scout troops. Local communities hold registration events during August and September, making it more convenient for girls and their families to chat with volunteers and register for the new 2007-08 membership year.

Miss a scheduled night at the location nearest you? Don't fret. You can download a registration form from our Web site and mail it directly to the office. Our staff will be sure to get you linked with girls and adults in your neighborhood. To download an application, visit www.girlscoutssevenlakes.org then mail it in to: Girl Scouts - Seven Lakes Council, Inc., 300 Route 318, Phelps, NY 14532. You may also call 539-5085 with any questions.

Registration fee for the year is $10, which goes to the national organization to cover insurance and more. Financial aid is available so all girls can participate fully in the Girl Scout program as they build confidence, courage and character and make the world a better place.

Registration events known at this writing follow:

€ Auburn - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at the P &C on Genesee Street

Girl Scouts in Auburn will enjoy an encampment weekend the end of August. Girl Scout Troop 409 held its “bridging” ceremony on an actual bridge in Niagara Falls this summer. Bridging is the term Girl Scouts use for ceremonies graduating girls from one age level to the next.

€ Cato/Meridian - 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, in the Cato-Meridian Middle School Gym

Come to a “Virtual Campout” and make an edible fire and learn camp songs and games. In June, 26 Girl Scouts and 18 adults from Cato-Meridian ventured on a three-day trip to Boston where they visited several sites including the Plymouth Plantation, Plymouth Rock and took the “Boston Duck Tour,” seeing the city by land and water. They visited the Boston Museum of Science and the New England Aquarium and shopped in Quincy Market. A trip to Boston wouldn't be complete without a whale watch. The group wants to thank the Cato community for participating in the many money-earning projects held the last two years that made this dream trip a reality.

€ Moravia/Southern Cayuga - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, in the Millard Fillmore Elementary Cafeteria, and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, in the Emily Howland Elementary Cafeteria

€ Port Byron - TBA

An event was held at Conquest Park on August 16. Girl Scouts “bridged,” or advanced from one program age level to the next, and enjoyed games and crafts. Girls interested in joining in this community, can call the office at the above number.

€ Weedsport - 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 18, at Weedsport High School cafeteria (Only girls new to Girl Scouting need attend this event in Weedsport).

Judith E. Gallagher is communications director for the Girl Scouts Seven Lakes Council, Inc. She can be reached at

539-5085 ext. 721.