December 29, 2025
American Heritage Girls celebrates record-breaking 194 Stars & Stripes Award recipients
‘I am awestruck and grateful for the blessings the Lord has poured out upon these amazing young ladies, their benefiting organizations, as well as the AHG ministry,’ says AHG Founder Patti Garibay
CINCINNATI, Ohio — American Heritage Girls (AHG, www.americanheritagegirls.org), the nation’s premier Christ-centered scout-type organization for girls ages five to 18, has been coming alongside families to help cultivate a biblical framework in the next generation of women through high-quality programming, exclusive resources and dedicated leadership for three decades. AHG’s robust award program has consistently produced strong women poised to turn back the tide of American culture.
“Over the course of American Heritage Girls’ 30 years as a ministry, we have been dedicated to building women of integrity, and there is no better example of that accomplishment than the Stars & Stripes Award Recipients,” said AHG Founder and Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay. “Every Stars & Stripes Award Recipient has brought value and new beginnings to her community through her servant’s heart and subsequent Stars & Stripes Award project. The Stars & Stripes Award journey is not for the faint of heart. The tireless effort that goes into the process is admirable and includes countless hours of identifying the right project with the right mentors, planning, organizing, recruiting volunteers, raising funds and finally implementing the project. We are excited to announce that the 2024-2025 program year has 194 Stars & Stripes recipients — our most abundant year ever!”
The Stars & Stripes Award, AHG’s most prestigious award, teaches girls perseverance, self-respect and a strong feeling of satisfaction. The goal of the Stars & Stripes Award is the experience and the realization of the servant’s heart that is needed to lead with integrity and humility. The award procedure and project bless a candidate’s community and develop her skills in organization, communication, time management and project management. The 2024-2025 recipients performed a collective 37,837 service hours across 38 states.
The Stars & Stripes Award fosters lifelong leadership skills and an opportunity grow. “My time in American Heritage Girlshas had such an impact on my life,” said one Stars & Stripes Award recipient from Montana. “AHGhas given me a wonderful support group of Godly friends and mentors. It has given me a safe place to learn, fail, and grow. It has challenged me, not only in my abilities and talents but also in my relationships. It provided an opportunity to be called a leader.”
“When I review each Project Summary Report, Spiritual Walk Essay and Resume, I am awestruck and grateful for the blessings the Lord has poured out upon these amazing young ladies, their benefiting organizations, as well as the AHG Ministry,” commented Garibay.
Tune in to this week’s Raising Godly Girls (RGG) podcast and “Raising Godly Girls” one-minute radio feature to equip, affirm and strengthen parents and loved ones to raise young women of integrity.
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.
###
To schedule interviews with Patti Garibay, executive director emeritus of American Heritage Girls, or Rachael Culpepper, executive director 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.
