AHG honors and focuses on patriotism year-round through badge programs, service projects, outdoor adventures, and more

June 27, 2022

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Reverence and respect for America and all that it stands for is key to the experience for girls and young women ages five to 18 nationwide who participate in American Heritage Girls (AHG, www.americanheritagegirls.org), the premier faith-based, scout-type leadership development program in America. As the country prepares to celebrate Independence Day, AHG is reminding families across the nation about the history of America and what the Founding Fathers experienced so that the people may live in a free country. AHG’s hands-on badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunities, outdoor adventures, and more — all with an emphasis on Christian values and family participation — promote a deep and abiding patriotism every day.

“Our program provides girls with a deeper understanding of their country and their heritage,” said AHG Founder and Executive Director Patti Garibay. “Girls cultivate honor for our nation by participating in patriotic events, flag ceremonies, community service, and badge work. Becoming active citizens within their Troop fosters a lifelong love for America. The outcome? An honoring girl who cares for her community through service and patriotism.”

AHG’s many programs and projects include its distinguished Stars & Stripes Award, the highest recognition available to a participant in American Heritage Girls. The award teaches girls perseverance, self-respect, and a strong sense of satisfaction. The Stars & Stripes Award candidates complete a substantial service project, which they plan, lead, and implement. Girls have the opportunity to exercise servant leadership, project management, communication skills, time management, and organization — all while blessing their communities in outstanding ways.

Garibay commented, “The Stars & Stripes Award is not for the faint of heart! By the close of the journey, girls will have demonstrated their leadership ability to identify a cause or need for which they have passion, managed a large project, recruited volunteers, publicized the need for fundraising, documented their journey, participated in a Board of Review, and reflected on the impact of AHG on their life and the growth of their spiritual walk during those years.”

The numbers associated with AHG’s Stars & Stripes Award in a recent year are impressive:

• 36: states represented by award recipients
• 147: benefiting organizations served
• 255: average service hours per project
• 37,473: total service hours performed

AHG Troops are located in local communities across the nation.

One AHG member and Stars & Stripes Award recipient shared her thoughts about the award: “It means so much to me. What matters are the steps you take to get the award: perseverance, hard work, dedication, community impact, ability to have peer leadership, and the list could go on. I know I put in the time, hard work, and dedication to complete something worthwhile.”

Said another AHG member and Stars & Stripes Award recipient, “American Heritage Girls has made an incredible impact on my life. It has made me into a woman of God as well as a leader, a public speaker, and an ambassador for Christ.”

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 — 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 900+ Christian radio stations across the country. 

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