December 8, 2025
The key to beating the holiday blues is faith and fellowship, says AHG’s Rachael Culpepper
AHG works to ‘inspire girls to confidently live out their faith in the face of stress and anxiety around the holidays’
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Despite the multitude of festivities, the holiday season is often the most stressful time of year for many people. Forty-three percent of adults said that the stress of the holidays interferes with their ability to enjoy them, culminating in seasonal depression that can last long into the New Year. Experts and parents alike have been increasingly concerned about the mental health of American youth, particularly around the holidays, with many Christian parents wondering how to support and encourage their children to stand firm in their faith instead of succumbing to the pressures of the season.
American Heritage Girls (AHG, www.americanheritagegirls.org), the nation’s premier Christ-centered scout-type organization for girls ages five to 18, has worked with families to encourage girls to boldly stand firm in their faith, no matter what noise the world throws at them. AHG offers intentional, faith-based programming, helpful resources such as e-books — including the newest “Raising Godly Girls Guide to Faith and Country” — and a safe space for fellowship and support from like-minded families.
“The mental state of American adolescents is a growing concern for families of young girls,” said AHG Executive Director Rachael Culpepper. “Parents are desperate to provide their girls with faith-aligned biblical guidance to protect their emotional well-being. Our girls are being raised in a climate that actively degrades and reviles their faith. It’s up to us to empower them with the truth — they are loved beyond measure by the very God who created the very universe. That fact alone should inspire girls to confidently live out their faith in the face of such stress and anxiety around the holidays.”
In a world trying to pull girls a million different directions, faith is what keeps them grounded. The AHG Program helps girls to grow in their faith, cultivate a heart for service, enjoy the great outdoors, and have fun while learning who they are and Whose they are in Christ. On a recent episode of AHG’s Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Culpepper spoke with Dr. Jessica Peck — pediatric nurse practitioner, mom of four, and author of “Behind Closed Doors”— about the mental health issues today’s girls wrestle with. In a culture where anxiety, self-harm, and depression have become far too common, Dr. Peck provides compassionate advice for recognizing warning signs, building trust and creating safe spaces for difficult conversations.
“This isn’t about blending into the crowd — it’s about proudly standing firm as a daughter of Christ in the face of seasonal anxiety and uncertainty,” said Culpepper.
AHG is dedicated to raising godly girls of integrity who understand the value of bold faith in Christ, and is proud to join Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025 to inspire the next generation of young women to boldness — firm in faith, leading with courage, and living for Christ. Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2025 is from December 18-21, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center.
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 support their girls through mental health struggles.
About American Heritage Girls: Marking the organization’s 30th anniversary this year,American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 by a group of parents who wanted a faith-based, scout-type character development program for their daughters. At AHG, girls ages five to 18 meet together as a unified group and then break out into Levels. This gives AHG girls the important social experience of interacting with friends and Godly mentors. Girl Members also learn leadership skills within a group setting. AHG Troops are located in local communities across the nation. If one does not exist in a given area, families are encouraged to start an AHG Troop. An American Heritage Girls Troop Development Coach is available to provide resources and support. 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. Charter Organizations include a variety of Christian denominations, Christian schools and Catholic outreach. 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 featuring fresh episodes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, “Raising Godly Girls Minute” with Patti Garibay one-minute radio feature airing on 1000+ Christian radio stations nationwide, a blog, and e-books 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.
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To schedule interviews with Rachael Culpepper, executive director of American Heritage Girls, and Patti Garibay, founder and executive director emeritus of American Heritage Girls, now or at TPUSA’s AmericaFest, 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.
