‘If we don’t take the time to teach our girls the skills they’ll need to become fully functioning adult members of society, how can we expect them to succeed?’

November 28, 2022

CINCINNATI, Ohio — A recent report revealed that 81% of young adults wish they knew more basic life skills before graduating college, such as cooking healthy meals, doing laundry, or basic home maintenance. While they might feel accomplished in their personal fields of study, many lament the fact that they are being released into the “real world” unable to take care of themselves or their loved ones.

American Heritage Girls (AHG, www.americanheritagegirls.org), oneof the world’s largest Christian, scout-type organizations, has always encouraged girls age five-18 to take charge of their own futures and equip themselves with the tools and skills necessary to be competent, godly women of integrity. AHG has been on the forefront of Christian scouting for girls for nearly three decades, providing Bible-based programming that helps girls deepen their faith, build meaningful relationships, and have fun!

Patti Garibay, AHG founder and executive director, commented, “From boiling an egg to changing a tire, is your girl prepared to handle the basic skills of adulthood? It’s unfathomable that 81% of recent college grads said they regretted not getting more education on basic life skills.

“In a world where humanity has a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips, it’s often the basic skills that get put on the back burner. How often are older girls stressing over which smartphone to order but are unprepared for doing their own laundry? If we don’t take the time to teach our girls the skills they’ll need to become fully functioning adult members of society, how can we expect them to succeed?”

For nearly 30 years, AHG has been dedicated to providing authentic, positive, and values-driven outdoor activities and other character and leadership development opportunities for girls across the nation. This well-organized program also honors girls’ specific and measurable accomplishments, for which the participants take enormous pride in — and use as stepping-stones each year as they further enhance their skills, sense of service, and much more.

Garibay continued, “God created each girl with gifts, abilities, and logic, which can grow and develop but require intentional education. For parents concerned that their girl might not thrive outside of the nest, American Heritage Girls has badges like Emergency Preparedness, Home Care & Repair, and Money Management will prepare her for success once she leaves the nest!”

American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 when Founder and Executive Director Patti Garibay became concerned with the direction the Girl Scouts of America was headed. Garibay, along with a group of concerned parents, wanted a faith-based, scout-type character development program for their daughters, and American Heritage Girls was born. 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. 

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.

AHG’s “Raising Godly Girls” radio feature and Raising Godly Girls blog shares guidance and biblically based advice on many key topics affecting girls today — from bullying and identity to anxiety and body image issues. 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 1000+ Christian radio stations across the country.