‘We are extremely grateful that the Lord continues to allow us to prosper in our mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country’
November 21, 2022
CINCINNATI, Ohio — As Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family, American Heritage Girls (AHG, www.americanheritagegirls.org), oneof the world’s largest Christian, scout-type organizations, is taking a moment to praise God for His many incredible accomplishments through AHG over the years.
“We are so thankful for the amazing young women with whom we have the privilege to work, the wonderful volunteers and staff members that make AHG possible, and the continued ability to help raise godly girls all across America,” said Patti Garibay, founder and executive director of American Heritage Girls. “Most of all, we are extremely grateful that the Lord continues to allow us to prosper in our mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.”
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.
AHG’s 2022-2023 Program Year Theme, “SHINE,” inspires girls to SHINE the light of Christ into the darkness of today’s world. To promote the theme, AHG provides Troops with guides, devotionals, and patch programs designed to encourage girls to SHINE in every aspect of their lives. Thousands of girls across the nation are getting into their communities and making a meaningful impact, all to SHINE a light on the love of Christ.
This year, AHG is especially thankful for over 52,000 girls and adult members in all 50 states and the exponential growth they have seen just in the last year. Additionally, AHG Troops regularly perform service of all types within their communities year-round. In the AHG Program Year ending May 30, 2022, girls performed 512,710 service hours across the country despite challenges brought on by the pandemic.
“Girls of all ages are out serving their communities and making a difference in the lives of those they interact with,” Garibay said. “We are so thankful for the many opportunities we have to grow as Christian leaders and SHINE the light of Christ.”
Garibay continued, “Whether you’re the parent of a brand-new kindergartner or a teenage girl navigating the ever-changing world of high school, American Heritage Girls is excited by the opportunity to come alongside parents and guardians to raise godly girls. Our world desperately requires a generation of women who know who they are and whose they are in Christ. The AHG Program is at the forefront of this urgent need, teaching girls the incredible God-given worth that lies within them, and we are so thankful for God’s provision as we strive to continue our journey in raising godly girls.”
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.