American Heritage Girls, Inc. (AHG) is a Christ-centered character and leadership development program, designed for girls in the 5-to-18-year-old range. Their mission is “building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.”
The member age range is broken down into five categories: Pathfinder (ages 5-6), Tenderheart (ages 6-9), Explorer (ages 9-12), Pioneer (ages 12-14), and Patriot (ages 14-18).
Now with 52,000 members and Troops in all 50 states and 15 countries, the non-profit AHG was established in 1995.
The organization is now rolling out its new Girl Handbooks - updated with a fresh look, and personalized elements to enhance each girl's AHG journey. The handbook will be available for Girl Members to purchase at the ministry's 25th Anniversary Convention in July and via the AHGstore the first week of August.
"We are excited to have created Handbooks that not only take a girl through her AHG journey but also serve as a treasured keepsake for the rest of her life," said Patti Garibay, AHG's Founder & Executive Director.
AHG's new Girl Handbooks are designed as a comprehensive, age-appropriate guide for Girl Members to read, journal, and enjoy as they progress through each Program level. Girl Handbooks are a valuable tool for understanding the core Emphases and components of the American Heritage Girls Program.
Features of the new Girl Handbooks include ten new badges in which Girl members were invited to submit creative designs. The new badges range from the Entrepreneurship Badge to the Identity Badge. Additionally, eight new AHG Sports Pins, including Golf and Roller Hockey, will be added along with new Level Award Namesakes: Ida Scudder and Abigail Adams.
"Love, prayer, and intention have been poured into these books," Garibay said. "We are excited for girls to hold them in their hands, and hold the knowledge of the pages, in their hearts."
Here's an encouraging example from one enthusiastic participant with American Heritage Girls
A young woman, who is very active in American Heritage Girls, is 19-year-old Sarah Pittman of Melrose, Florida. She has earned the Stars & Stripes Award.
Sarah shares with us:
In addition to living out the AHG Creed and Oath, Award recipients have completed a number of requirements to achieve this honor, including:
• Earning a total of 16 Merit Badges
• Having held a leadership position in their Troop for a minimum of six months
• Planning, developing, and providing leadership to others in a 100+ hour service project
• Writing a Life Ambition/ Spiritual Walk Essay and resume
• Receiving at least 3 Letters of Reference
• Passing a Board of Review
Pittman chose to serve Friendship Bible Church by redecorating and organizing the church’s choir room.
She has served as Girl Shepherd and received the Dolly Madison Level Award prior to her Stars and Stripes.
A member of Friendship Bible Church Troop #FL3130, Sarah Pittman is the 519th girl nationally, and the 21st girl in Florida to earn the prestigious Stars & Stripes Award.
Sarah Pittman was recognized in a Court of Honor Ceremony on August 17th at Friendship Bible Church. She was honored by Keystone Heights City Council Member, Larry Peoples, who read a proclamation in her honor. Other letters of congratulations came in from Representative Ted Yoho, The Christian Missionary Alliance District, Project Appleseed, Friendship Bible Church, American Legion Post #202 and from the College of Missionary Aviation.
Sarah Pittman is a member of Friendship Bible Church and has served on their praise and worship team, choir and works with their children ministries as well as volunteering at the Melrose Public Library. Sarah Pittman is a homeschool graduate and is the daughter of Lynn and Tim Pittman of Melrose, Florida.