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American
Heritage
Girls
TM
From Volunteer to Executive Director
Patti Garibay is Founder and National Executive Director
of the American Heritage Girls. Patti is also the mother
of four children and a proud grandmother. While a stayat-home mom, Patti served in a variety of volunteer
capacities which included church, school and scouts. As
a Girl Scout volunteer for over twelve years she served in
many roles, some of which were Council Delegate, Troop
Organizer, Special Events Coordinator, Day Camp Director
and Troop Leader. In 1995 Patti founded the faith-based
alternative to the Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls.
She served as the organization’s first volunteer President
and Executive Director and was also an AHG Unit Leader
for many years. Patti has interviewed with hundreds
of media outlets during her tenure, spreading the word
of the AHG ministry. It is her distinct pleasure to serve
as the National Executive Director of this God-appointed
ministry, the American Heritage Girls.
Mission
Building
WOMEN OF INTEGRITY
through service
to God,
family,
community and country
American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered, non-profit organization,
offering a wholesome character development program for girls, ages 5 to
18. AHG was founded with the love of God . . . through the love of
families . . . for the love of children.
Since its start in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio, American Heritage Girls has
seen tremendous growth, impacting thousands of girls. AHG was founded
by a group of parents wanting a wholesome program for their daughters.
American Heritage Girls troops are owned by charter partners, allowing
the program to be a fantastic outreach ministry to girls. AHG continues
to focus on building women of integrity through its strong dedication to
service, spiritual growth and outdoor skills. The program encourages girls
to put “legs on their faith” by serving others in their communities and
striving to make a positive difference in their world. The vision of American
Heritage Girls is to be the premier national character development
organization for young women that embraces Christian values
and encourages family involvement.
History
The AHG Oath
“ I promise to Love God,
cherish my family,
Honor my country and
serve in my community.”
Five Program Levels
American Heritage Girls participate in a multi-level
troop system. This family-friendly model not only
allows sisters to be in the same troop, but allows
girls to gain leadership skills as they mentor younger
troop members and younger girls to have older girls
as role models. Under the guidance of dedicated
leaders, AHG troops participate in
programming that fosters servant
leadership, life-long friendships,
life skills and spiritual
development.
Pathfinder
ages 5-6
“I love the crafts we do at AHG and
the Pathfinder necklace.”
Kaitlyn, Pathfinder
tenderheart
“I really love AHG! I made many
new friends! So who ever found it I
thank them!”
Joie, Tenderheart
ages 6-9
explorer
ages 9-12
pioneer
ages 12-14
Patriot
ages 14-18
“We learn how to fish, we go canoeing,
kayaking, we slept in tents, we learn to help
people in need, we meet new friends, but most
of all we have fun!”
Jordan, Explorer
“I love being a mentor to the younger girls. As
I grow in faith and in AHG, it shows me how
to be the girl they can look up to.”
Katie, Pioneer
“Being in AHG has shaped the way I think about service.
Because I have been given so many opportunities to serve
in big and little things and have been surrounded with
serving attitudes within my troop, I automatically look for
ways to serve. I now see service as something that pleases
God, benefits the people I serve, and also benefits me.”
Cathy, Patriot
Program Emphasis
l i fe S k i l l E n h a n c e m en t
Girls learn life skills as they earn multi-level badges from
six frontiers of skill: Heritage, Family Living, Arts, Outdoor
Skills, Personal Well-Being and Science and Technology.
De v e l op i n g T e a m w or k
& B u i l d i n g c on fi d en c e
Girls learn the importance of working as a team while
they explore the wonder of God’s creation through
progressive outdoor adventures. These experiences help
to empower young girls, teaching them survivial skills
and an adoration of the out-of-doors. Providing girls with
outdoor experiences helps them see the glory of Creation,
as well as gain a respect for its conservation. Outdoor
experiences are a key focus of every American Heritage Girls’ experience.
S o c i a l De v el op m en t
Being with other girls in troop meetings, field trips, campouts and special
events is an important part of being an American Heritage Girl!
Girls build lasting relationships with their peers, as well as with their
leaders. AHG’s unique troop structure allows for natural mentoring
relationships to emerge, which are important to a girl’s social
development.
Gi r l L e a d er s h i p
Girls are encouraged to play an active role in their
troops. Through its progressive governing format,
AHG allows troops to give girls a say in the way
their troops work and the activities they plan. Girls
have “ownership” over their troop and learn to be a
leader among their peers.
C h a r a c t er De v el op m en t
American Heritage Girls gain the ability to make sound, moral
decisions through their interaction with family, church and
community, strengthening their relationship with God through
AHG experiences. AHG’s strong service arm offers girls many
opportunities to build character through community service
and citizenship programs. Each year, American Heritage Girls
give over 108,000 hours of service to their country!
S p i r i t u a l De v el op m e n t
American Heritage Girls helps girls live their life for God!
The Oath, strong friendships, faith-filled leadership, service,
religious recognitions and badge work aid in a girl’s spiritual
development. Religious recognitions are important through
all levels of AHG programming but are integral to the earning
of AHG’s highest award, the Stars and Stripes Award.
What People are Saying About
American Heritage Girls
“One of the most important things we can do for our children is to instill values, self-worth and a love for God. In today’s
culture, this is becoming more difficult each day. The American Heritage Girls program is one that is turning the tide in a
positive direction.”
- Jonathan Falwell, Senior Pastor, Thomas Road Baptist Church
“The YMCA of Greater Toledo is proud to partner with American Heritage Girls. Together we have been effective in
building character and faith into the 60 girls that we have served this year. Mission Accomplished!”
- Rev. Joshua Heaston, Director of Christian Emphasis, YMCA of Greater Toledo
“There is a far better program for girls, in my opinion…. I recommend American
Heritage Girls enthusiastically to parents who want their daughters involved in a
traditional Christian-based program that will reinforce what they are trying to teach
at home….”
-Dr. James C. Dobson, Founder of Focus on the Family, host of My Family Talk
and author of Bringing Up Girls
testim
“Thank you for taking upon yourself the task of promoting right living and absolute
truth to these young women who are so inundated today with moral relativity. For
we as Christians know that all God’s words are true, and His righteous laws are
eternal (Ps. 119:160), despite what the ‘winds of change’ would have us believe. As
a grandmother to two young granddaughters, I am encouraged to know that they will
someday have the option to participate with the American Heritage Girls, where they
will develop skills essential to life, leadership and character, all within the context of
knowing and following Christ.”
-Janet D. Parshall, Host, “Janet Parshall’s America”
“A group where young girls can grow into Godly young women – serving community
and God. I think its wonderful. My daughter loves all the activities and learning about
God. I enjoy getting to know like-minded parents.”
- Tamara, Kentucky Mom
“Community service is an important aspect of American Heritage Girls. My troop
provided numerous opportunities to serve and encourage other people. We made blankets for
a children’s hospital in Africa, decorated placemats for a local hospice, sent cards to
soldiers, served treats at a local church for Mothers’ Day, and participated in a clean-up
project at a local nature center, to name a few. I have become more aware of things I can do
to help others because of my participation in American Heritage Girls.”
- Jenny, Minnesota Girl Member
The most rewarding part of being an American Heritage Girls Chairperson is supplying a
social group where Christian girls can be unashamedly and enthusiastically Christian, while
at the same time developing their whole person. I am eternally grateful that AHG exists as
an alternative to Girl Scouts and will always support their mission.
- Ann, Michigan Coordinator
AHG is so much fun. I get to be with my friends and ride horses, camp out, do service projects
and pray. We get to show the younger girls how to do things, it’s awesome.
- Alina, Ohio Girl Member
“I enjoy earning badges, performing service projects and field trips! I love
having the inside scoop with my mom. AHG is our special thing.”
- Anna, Girl Member, Age 11
“On behalf of everyone in our small
troop – I want to say thank you. AHG
has truly been a life-changing group
for me. I have been an active Catholic
my entire life, but have never felt
particularly “called” to a ministry like
I do to AHG. As such, I feel I have
an invested interest in ensuring that
our Archdiocese adopts AHG as the
preferred scouting organization for
girls in our area.”
- Maria, Washington Charter Rep
monials
“I credit AHG for helping
keep me on the right path in
life.”
- Greear, AHG Alumnae
“AHG provides an opportunity
to learn to have a heart of
service to our Lord and to
become a Godly young woman.”
- Lynette, KY Mom
“Service is perhaps one of the most significant things I learned in AHG. My
troop participated in many service projects and Make A Difference Day
activities. I really enjoyed serving others which grew into my decision to
serve the country. Christ calls us to be servants.”
- Ann, AHG Alumnae, US Army
“AHG really helped me grow into a young lady. I have such high priorities for my life. I thank most importantly my
relationship with God, but also the guidance AHG has set for me as a Stars and Stripes alumnae.”
- Amanda, AHG Alumnae, 10 years in AHG
175 Tri-County Parkway Suite 100
Cincinnati, OH 45246
(513) 771-2025
(513) 771-2595, fax
www.ahgonline.org