‘It Was Always the Vision of AHG to Provide a Christian Organization That Would Contribute to the Betterment of Each Girl’s Community While Strengthening Her Walk with Christ’
January 10, 2022
January 16 is National Religious Freedom Day, marking over 230 years since the signing of Virginia’s Statute for Religious Freedom. The statute would eventually become a foundational principle in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which preserves an individual’s right to belief and to choose and exercise faith without government interference.
Religious freedom is especially important to American Heritage Girls, (AHG, www.americanheritagegirls.org) one of the largest Christian, scout-type organizations in the world. Dedicated to raising godly girls across America and around the world, AHG builds women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. AHG girls participate in badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunities, and outdoor experiences, all with an emphasis on Christian values and family involvement.
“American Heritage Girls is proud to be a Christ-centered organization for girls ages five to 18,” stated AHG Director of Marketing and Communications Michelle Beckham-Corbin. “We firmly believe in the inerrancy of Scripture and will never deviate from our Christian roots.”
Founded 27 years ago after the Girl Scouts of America started to amend their religious beliefs, American Heritage Girls offers Christian families a safe, age-appropriate program that is designed to challenge and inspire girls around the world.
Beckham-Corbin commented, “It was always the vision of AHG to provide a Christian character-development and leadership organization that would contribute to the betterment of each girl’s community while strengthening her walk with Christ. What started as a far-off dream has continued to grow with the help and support of a nationwide network of parents who share the goal of building women of integrity.
“Our world desperately requires a generation of women who know who they are and whose they are in Christ. American Heritage Girls is at the forefront of this urgent need, teaching girls the incredible God-given worth that lies within them.”
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 Patti Garibay, click here.
Today, there are Troops in all 50 states and girls being served in 15 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 parent. 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.
The “Raising Godly Girls” radio feature and Raising Godly Girls blog shares guidance and biblically based advice on many key topics affecting girls today—including the prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying. It gives parents, educators, and faith community leaders a set of tools, resources, and Scripture-based advice to assist in raising girls after God’s own heart. The “Raising Godly Girls Minute” with Patti Garibay airs on 900+ Christian radio stations across the country.
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