Even though she is no longer a child, Peggy Foden remains active in Girl Scouting, helping troop leaders inspire and empower the next generation. As an adult volunteer for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Inc., the Cartersville resident serves as a master trainer, conducting indoor and outdoor workshops for new troop leaders, volunteers and fellow trainers.

"I started as a Brownie at 7 in New York," said Foden, who, in addition to her Girl Scouting volunteer work, also is an administrative assistant for Cryolife Inc. in Kennesaw. "[I enjoyed] having a leader who introduced us to the out of doors and that was not common in those days in the area I grew up in. So some of the parents were appalled. But she introduced us to the outdoors and we got to do a lot of fun activities, including camping.

"[I am still involved] because first of all it's girl led, and it's the largest all-female organization, I believe, in the world, and the fact that we help girls develop leadership skills for when they do become adults so they're productive young ladies. They'll have skills that will last them a lifetime."

For her volunteering efforts, Foden received the Honor Pin at the council's adult volunteer awards ceremony June 2.

"This award is given to Girl Scout volunteers who have provided outstanding service to two or more counties within the council's jurisdiction," said Melissa T. Brandon, marketing and communications manager for Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. "The service provided goes above and beyond the expectations of the position held and contributes to the council's goals and objectives.

"Peggy was one of four volunteers who received the Honor Pin award this year. There are more than 18,000 adult volunteers who serve 41,000 girls in a 34-county jurisdiction of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta."

Foden, who also is certified to instruct her fellow trainers, has been involved in the Girl Scouts organization for more than 40 years.

"After eight years as a girl member, she went on to volunteer her time as an adult, becoming a trainer in 1981," according to a news release from Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. "Peggy was a trainer in North Carolina's Colonial Coast council for 23 years, a troop leader for 10 years and a service unit director for six years.

"She came to Georgia in 2004 as a master trainer, contributing 373 hours to train new volunteers, existing leaders and fellow trainers. She has worked on numerous curriculum development committees and was active in designing several classes, including Advanced Cooking Methods, Orienteering Fun and Advanced Tent camping."

As a trainer, Foden volunteers a minimum of about 350 hours per year. One of the most rewarding aspects about her work is "watching an adult who's come to training and the light bulb goes off. Suddenly she gets it," she said. "Then you hear from them a month or two later and they may ask you questions on something you covered or they get so excited they have to tell you what they've achieved. You feel pretty good because they learned it at one of your classes."