The little ones hang on every word with wonder and surprise.

That’s how Paul Goy of Briar Creek, Columbia County, describes the Girl Scouts in his Berwick-area Girl Scout troop including Daisies, Brownies and Juniors.

Goy loves working with the girls, and while he and co-leader Mike Powlus may seem an unconventional duo to lead Girl Scouts, they’ve crafted an environment where the girls get the benefits of Girl Scouts from a man’s perspective.

Goy especially enjoys helping the girls earn badges focused on outdoor activities, and he likes bringing his own experiences to badgework.

“Being (taught by) a guy, I think it gives them information they may not have otherwise,” Goy explained.

The pair touches on energy-source topics, like how electricity is generated.

“We’ve been teaching them about wind and fire. I built a campfire, and we built our own little windmill. We’re using a circuit board, and we taught them how electricity works,” Goy explained.

He said the girls learned about alternating (AC) and direct (DC) currents and how they work to create usable electricity.

Goy encourages his Girl Scouts to ask questions while they learn.

“It is the same with the windmill: What does it do and how does it work?” he said.

The Girl Scouts in Goy’s troop helped to construct a windmill model and then saw firsthand how wind energy powered a fan and charged a small model airplane.

Goy enjoys helping young children – having four of his own kids – and the simple wonder and joy they experience when learning new things.

“They pay attention,” Goy said of his girls.

In his second official year as a troop leader, Goy has been helping out with Girl Scouts since his daughters began their own Girl Scout journey, roughly a decade ago.

Married to Nancy Goy, a troop leader of Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors, he did not hesitate when asked to lead his own troop because there was a need in their community.

About two years ago, there were no troops available in the Berwick area for Daisies, or girls in kindergarten and first grade. An influx of girls who needed a Daisy troop prompted a call for a leader.

“Paul stepped in and started a Daisy troop. There is nothing Paul says no to. He is always everywhere with his girls,” said Sheri Kline, volunteer and alumnae engagement manager for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.

Goy has learned a lot from working with Girl Scouts. He’s gained renewed respect and a fresh perspective about children’s learning styles and how unique each girl is.

“The little ones are enthusiastic,” he said. “They ask about 50 million questions when you are teaching them, and the little ones always hang on your last word.”

Nominations are open for Volunteer Recognition for the 2023/2024 membership year and it’s easier than ever to vote! Just go to this link and vote! Voting is open until Feb. 11 and parents, girls, and volunteers can vote as many times as you want. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Sheri Kline, Volunteer and Alumnae Engagement Manager at skline@gshpa.org.