Last year, more than 450 girls in Framingham were a part of Girl Scouting.

On Monday, Oct 1, Framingham Girl Scouts is holding a registration event at First United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Scouts living in Framingham or attending a Framingham school in grades K-12, are welcome to join.

The annual national membership fee is $12. Framingham Girl Scouts are part of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Council. Some Troops charge additional dues and there are fees for some town and Council activities.

There will be a second registration event on Monday, Oct. 22 at the main Framingham Library at 7 p.m.

Adults volunteers are also needed to help with existing Troops or to co-run a new Troop. Training is provided. Registration fee for adults is also $12.

Last year, more than 10 percent of the Framingham Girl Scouts attended the 100th celebration of Girl Scouts in Washington DC. Girl Scouts was founded in 2012 by Juliette Gordon Low.

Girls do activities and have fun with their Scout Troops, the Framingham service unit and the Eastern Massachusetts Council.

In October, Framingham Girl Scouts can participate in a personal safety and self defense workshop, attend Ringling Bros. Circus, learn about voting in a special event and go roller skating to celebrate the birthday of Girl Scout founder Low, who founded the organization in March 1912.

The Framingham Girl Scouts service unit schedules more than a dozen events annually. The Eastern Massachusetts Council also offers 100s of other events and camping programs during April school vacation and the summer.

Last year, Framingham Girl Scouts participated in the 100th Anniversary of the Civil War events sponsored by the Framingham History Center and the town's veterans events including Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

As part of the 100th year celebartion, Framingham Girl Scouts held a Taste of Camping event in May 2012 at Girl Scout Camp Winnetaska in Ashland and also held a 100th photo at Bowditch Field.

Other Framingham 100th events planned includea sock hop dance in November and a Scout & Mom tea in February.

Annually, Framingham Girl Scouts lead the town in a singalong on the steps of the Memorial Building in anticipation of Santa arriving on a fire truck to light the town's Christmas tree.

While Girl Scouts do sell cookies, they also try new activities while working towards badges, complete volunteer work and make new friends. They learn cooperative, social and leadership skills.

Editors's Note: I am a leader of a Troop of 14 middle school Girl Scouts and the volunteer coordinator for the Framingham Girl Scouts Service Unit.