September 8, 2025
AHG equips girls to navigate complex emotions through a biblical lens
‘While the world may tell girls to be ruled by their feelings, God calls them to bring those feelings to Him,’ said AHG Executive Director Rachel Culpepper
CINCINNATI, Ohio — “Your feelings are valid.” These buzz words that are commonplace in today’s culture underline a deep seated, biblical truth: all emotions are perfectly designed by God. However, it can be too easy — particularly for young girls — to let emotions to take over and threaten to upstage mind, soul, and spirit. How can parents take those dramatic outbursts and tearful meltdowns and turn them into opportunities for discipleship?
American Heritage Girls (AHG, www.americanheritagegirls.org), the nation’s premier Christ-centered scout-type organization for girls ages five to 18, equips parents to guide their girls through the ups and downs of strong emotions with both compassion and biblical truth. AHG equips girls to face complex emotions with Christ’s example as their guide, instead of being controlled by their feelings. Instead of allowing girls to succumb to their emotions, AHG challenges girls to consider Christ’s example while wrestling complex feelings.
“It’s commonly misunderstood that emotions, especially in girls, are a sign of weakness,” said AHG Executive Director Rachael Culpepper. “But God welcomes us to feel our feelings. During Jesus’s time on Earth, He too felt human emotion. He cried when he lost His friend Lazarus, he cared for His disciples, and we all know He loved having fun at parties! However, nowhere does the Bible tell us to allow our feelings to make life-altering decisions for us. Believers must recognize feelings for what they are, then acknowledge, analyze, and work through them in a biblical way, recognizing how God has given them to us for a definite purpose.”
In a recent episode of the Raising Godly Girls (RGG) podcast, host Patti Garibay, Founder & Executive Director Emeritus of American Heritage Girls, sat down with licensed professional counselor and bestselling author Michelle Nietert to unpack how parents can guide their daughters through big emotions with a biblical worldview. Drawing from decades of experience as a counselor, school crisis responder, and mom, Nietert offers practical insights for helping girls process sadness, fear, and anxiety while building emotional resilience that’s rooted in Christ. Listeners will hear encouragement for the mom who feels like her daughter is drowning in emotions, guidance on discerning when drama signals deeper emotional needs, and everyday ways parents can connect spiritual discipleship to emotional growth.
“While the world may tell girls to be ruled by their feelings, God calls them to bring those feelings to Him,” commented Culpepper. “AHG works to leave parents and loved ones equipped with tools, reassured by truth, and reminded that they are not alone in raising emotionally healthy, godly girls.”
Tune in to this week’sRaising Godly Girls (RGG) podcast and “Raising Godly Girls” one-minute radio feature to equip, affirm and strengthen parents and loved ones to guide their daughters through big emotions with both compassion and biblical truth.
Marking the organization’s 30th anniversary this year,American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 by a group of parents who wanted this faith-based, scout-type character development program for their daughters. At AHG, girls ages five to 18 meet together as a single Troop at the same time and then break out into Units by Levels. This gives AHG girls the important social experience of interacting with friends and godly mentors of various ages; members also learn leadership skills within a group setting. AHG Troops are located in local communities across the nation. If none exists in a given area, families can bring the AHG Program to their own area. An American Heritage Girls Troop Development Coach is available to provide resources to potential Charter Organizations and other families to form a new Troop. To hear more about the purpose, mission and vision of AHG from Founder and Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay, click here.
Today, there are 70,000 members and 1,300 Troops in all 50 states, with girls being served in six countries around the globe. Girls can join a Troop at any time; if a Troop is not available nearby, they can become a Trailblazer and enjoy the AHG program alongside their parents. A variety of Christian denominations are also represented as Charter Organizations for Troops. Thousands of volunteer members across the country are helping girls grow in their faith, cultivate a heart for service, enjoy the great outdoors, and have more fun than they can imagine.
AHG offers various resources under “Raising Godly Girls,” including a weekly podcast, one-minute radio features, a blog, and guides for parents. All “Raising Godly Girls” platforms and materials offer guidance and biblically based advice on various topics affecting girls today, such as bullying, identity, anxiety and body image issues. “Raising Godly Girls” provides parents, educators, and faith community leaders with tools, resources, and Scripture-based advice to help raise girls after God’s own heart.
AHG’s new podcast, “Raising Godly Girls,” features fresh episodes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Subscribe and follow on any major podcast platform or visit raisinggodlygirls.com. Additionally, the “Raising Godly Girls Minute” with Patti Garibay airs on 1000+ Christian radio stations across the country.
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To schedule interviews with Patti Garibay, founder and executive director emeritus of American Heritage Girls, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Jeff Tolson, ext. 108.
To inquire about airing the “Raising Godly Girls Minute” with Patti Garibay, contact Michael Hamilton, 610.584.1096, ext. 101.
