American Heritage Girls’
H e r i ta g e
Headlines
Girl Leadership Letter from the Executive Director
Respect Life
Membership Growth
Troop Traditions
News & Updates
p. 1-9
p. 4
p. 10
p. 13-16
p. 18
p. 21-23
Her
Troop
In American Heritage Girls, it is important for each girl’s
their dreams. A strong girl leadership model can
make these dreams come true.
AHG desires for every girl to share her talents and ideas
to make the Troop the best it can be. AHG’s multi-level
Troop structure offers many opportunities for girls to
develop their leadership skills. As girls continue in the
program, they will have a chance to serve in different
leadership positions. While spreading their wings, they
find out what type of leader they are. Leadership is
important in all areas of their lives: in their homes, as
citizens of our country, as members of their church, and
even as students in school!
Texas Troops give girls a
CAMEO leadership experience
The more say the girls have in what is going on
within their Troops and Units, the more ownership
they will feel, says Ellen Samek, AHG Ministry
Expansion Leader and Camp Advisor in Texas.
“The more ownership they have, the less likely
they are to disappear once driver’s licenses and
the busy life of high school come into play.” The
longer the girls remain in the AHG program, the
more opportunities they have to learn valuable
leadership lessons. Ellen and her team designed
a Girl Leadership Model based on this vision for
longevity and leadership for the older girls. The
Troop to be just that… “Her Troop.”
AHG Troops across the nation are realizing “Her Troop”
dreams with innovative practices anchored by biblical
values. Girls desire to put legs to their faith and wings to
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Inside this edition:
Winter 2014
intent of the Girl Leadership Model is not only to keep girls
engaged, but to teach moms to “give the girls their wings”
through practicing leadership skills in a safe environment.
The CAMEO Leadership Model is a self-evaluation
exercise to move girls and Leaders from where they are
to where they want to be. The CAMEO model has been a
successful tool for many Troops in Texas, no matter how
large or small, no matter how young or old.
CAMEO is an acronym to measure a Troop’s maturity.
Each of the steps describes plateaus in the process of
developing Girl Led Programming and girl leadership. It is
not always a cut and dried description and often Troops
have one attribute from one level and one from another.
Chaos – No one really takes ownership of planning
and implementation
Attending – Adults plan & implement everything, it is
all under control. Girls are primarily attendees to an
adult program
Mixed – Adults plan, but hand off a clear agenda to
girls to implement. The girls are participating, but not
really involved in the decision making or planning
Event - Adults plan overall calendar/activities/schedule
but specific events are planned by the girls (with an
advisor to mentor them through the process.)
Owned – Adults serve as Advisors as the girls are
actively involved in the design, plan and implementation
of the troop activities. They now “own” their program!
Once Troops have determined where they fall within the
CAMEO acronym, the model encourages Troops to reflect
on how they can move forward in creating a more girl-led
Troop. Next steps in the CAMEO model include:
▪ Ensuring that Adult Leaders are properly trained.The
AHG website offers an Adult Training Track required
for every adult Leader at www.ahgonline.org/training.
▪ Collaborating and sharing ideas with other Troops.
Troops are encouraged to utilize Area/Community
meetings, social media and AHG-sponsored events to
connect with other Troops for support, encouragement
and ideas.
▪ Taking advantage of the resources provided by AHG,
Inc. including the Quarterly Leader Resource Guide,
Leader Portal of the AHG Website (www.ahgonline.
org/girlleadership), Webinars, Unit Leader Handbooks
and more.
▪ Attending the AHG 2014 National Leadership
Conference, www.ahgonline.org/2014nlc.
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▪ Creating a vision of what a girl-led Troop looks like
and taking active steps toward the realization of that
vision. When working with the girls, involve them at
every level of planning
▪ Engaging girls in Troop planning. From creating the
Troop calendar, to choosing badges to earn, to the
planning of events, involve girls in age-appropriate
planning activities that allow them to gain a sense of
ownership of their Troop.
▪ Utilizing girl leadership roles within the Troop. Troops
are encouraged to determine the leadership roles
necessary for their Troop to function in a girl-run
environment, communicate expectations of each role,
and teach skills necessary for success.
The manner in which the multi-level AHG Troop is
organized allows for a progressive experience in girl
leadership. As a girl progresses through the program, her
opportunities for leadership will grow and evolve.
The Pathfinders will be adult driven, with the girls helping
mom or her Leader implement the plan.
Tenderhearts will fall somewhere between Mixed and
Event as they aren’t ready to plan and implement entire
events, but they certainly should be allowed input on the
things that interest them – what badges to work on, what
activities to do, etc…, but adult lead and organized.
Explorers should end up on the more mature side of the
event level – with the adults planning the overall outlines,
but the girls planning specifics. They need advisors who
prompt them with the right questions and make constructive
suggestions to help them learn how to better manage
projects and events.
Ideally, Pioneers and Patriots will truly own their program
– from planning, organizing and implementing - the advisors
are there to be resources for the girls.
AHG recognizes that it takes time to develop a fullyfunctional progressive program for girl leadership on the
Troop level. Troops are encouraged to be patient, take it
one step at a time, and trust that it will come. Even Troops
who are on the path to a girl-run Troop are encouraged
to reflect, at the start of each program year, what steps
might be taken to better the leadership experiences for all
members of the Troop.
The “Unlikely” Leaders
As Troops work with girls, they will likely come across a
few (or maybe a lot) who just don’t feel like they are “good
enough” or don’t like to be in front of a crowd, so think they
can’t be leaders. AHG Adult leadership have an important
and special role in helping each girl discover how she can
be a servant leader in accordance to God’s plan for her.
Toni Jennings is the first woman lieutenant governor in
Florida history, as well as a successful businesswoman.
She said, “It’s not always easy to spot the leader in a group
of children. Frequently, the leader is the talkative one, the
one who says, ‘Let’s do this,’ or “Let’s go there.’ But adults
need to look beyond the obvious leaders to the quieter
ones, because they can be leaders, too. The quiet leaders
often grow up to become the calm and steady hand who
solves problems in a crisis. My advice is to treat every child
as a potential leader. If you give children encouragement
and the chance to lead, they usually rise to the occasion
and surprise everyone – including themselves! – with their
leadership ability.”
AHG Leaders are in a great position to hold up the Bible
as a mirror for our girls. What better a way to encourage
confidence than to share with our girls what the Bible
says about our identity in Christ, our strength in Him, the
gifts he has blessed us with and the amazing way he
loves us. The Bible is also full of “unlikely” leaders – a
great inspiration to girls who don’t think they have what
it takes to lead.
Nurturing Girl Leadership
Adapted from Les Christie, Youth Ministry Department
Chair, San Jose Christian College
In developing girl leaders AHG Leaders and volunteers
are passing on the baton to the next generation. AHG
encourages its adults to:
• Show girls why, then tell them how to do it. Expose
them to the reasons for the ministry; and once they
have the passion for it, then give them the ways to
do it.
• Teach girls how to think independently.
• Love all the girls and see the potential that exists
in everyone. Each girl is unique, and her uniqueness
should be celebrated. God is creative. One of the
hardest tasks is to help girls see themselves as being
significant.
• Give girl leaders encouragement. Be their
cheerleader. Have a ministry of affirmation. One of
the most important ministries AHG Leaders have is
believing in their girls.
• Christians are not called to simply preach love, but to
show love. If Leaders love their girls unconditionally,
they will be a pied piper to them. Girls will respond to
these adults like a plant does to sunlight.
• Look for progress in girls, not perfection.
For more information and ideas on how Troops across the
country are offerring leadership opportunities to their girls,
visit www.ahgonline.org/girlleadership.
How does your Troop offer Girl Leadership? Send your
stories and ideas to Jody at [email protected].
“As parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors, our job is to hold up a mirror to young
leaders so that they can see themselves and their leadership ability more clearly. Many
young people lack the confidence to take on a leadership challenge until someone else
tells them, “I believe in you. I see you as a leader. I know you have the skills to tackle
this challenge.”
From Pat Williams’ book,
Coaching Your Kids to Be Leaders:
The Keys to Unlocking Their Potential
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Dear Friends,
This quarter’s edition of the Heritage Headlines focuses
on Leadership. It is my belief that we are all called to
be leaders. Christ calls us to influence one another
by loving and encouraging one another. If leading is
indeed influencing as Maxwell suggests in his quote –
then we are all leaders.
Members of AHG are encouraged to learn and
acknowledge their identity in Christ. This concept is
the core of our mission and weighs heavy on each
volunteer heart. One’s identity in Christ is of awesome
proportion as our Savior is mighty and powerful and
we are said to be made in His image. Imagine if each
of us realized that we are truly made in our Maker’s
image. We would not shy from the leadership roles
and tasks God calls us to perform. Like David slaying
Goliath, or the stuttering Moses leading the Israelites
out of captivity, God may call each one of us to a
leadership role we might never have imagined. Large
or small role on a flow chart or not, as a daughter of the
King, each American Heritage Girl is called to be an
influencer in her family, her Church and her community.
She is called to LEAD.
“Leadership is not
about titles, positions or
flowcharts. It is about one
life influencing another.”
John C. Maxwell
Too often one thinks of leadership as a gift given to a
specific personality type with prescribed spiritual gifts.
But over my decades of serving girls and volunteers, I
have come to realize that leadership comes in a variety
of “packages,” and these “packages” are as unique as
the individual. God knit us in our mother’s womb as
unique persons—no two exactly alike. Such is true
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of leadership—no two leaders are exactly alike if
they are leading authentically in the manner God
intended.
AHG’s program of girl leadership allows for all
types of leaders to grow and prosper. Girls from all
over the country with a variety of challenges and
gifts gather in meeting rooms across the nation to
flex their leadership muscle while guiding a Troop
meeting, organizing a service project, scripting a
ceremony or teaching a younger member a skill.
AHG is leadership. AHG is influencing. AHG is
leading like Jesus while influencing our culture.
May these next few months be filled with leadership
moments for all of our members, and may the Spirit
of Christ dwell among us.
Patti
Patti Garibay
National Executive Director
and Founder
Her Troop in Arizona
Heather Ulmen, a Troop Coordinator
in Sierra Vista, AZ created a great
girl retreat to help with planning the
year. Each girl determined the three
badges they would work on. They
also decided on two service projects.
After some brainstorming, they
took a vote then put the calendar
together.
The planning retreat began with
prayer then the girls broke into small
groups. They worked on badges,
service projects and enjoy social
activities. After lunch they gathered
together for team building activities,
skits and lots of fun including a
scavenger hunt. A planning meeting
doesn’t need to be boring or tedious.
The girls made it full of faith, service
and fun!
Older Girl Initiative Under
Way for Cincinnati
AHG
Volunteers,
along
with
the Cincinnati Area Team, are
developing an activity-based model
designed to grow the leadership of
the Pioneer and Patriot girls for the
2014-2015 program year. This new
model provides two key resources:
1. Meaningful quarterly gatherings
focused
on
developing
girl
leadership skills.
2. Activities designed to assist girls
in the Pioneer and Patriot levels to
grow in leadership abilities.
This initiative includes a board
of girl officers and adult mentors
and a committee-at-large of girl
representatives from the Cincinnati
Area Troops. Each Troop with a
Pioneer/Patriot Unit may select a
girl representative and an alternate
to serve on the committee-at-large.
Girls and their adult Leaders will
plan older girl activities, leveraging
local resources to enhance the
older girl programming in the
community. Meetings and activities
will be provided on a quarterly basis.
Information about this new program
can be found on the Cincinnati
Area webpages (www.ahgonline.
org/areas click on “Cincinnati”, then
select “Older Girl Initiative (OGI). If
you would like additional information,
contact [email protected].
Give them Wings
Stars and Stripes
Focus Week
The Stars and Stripes Award is the highest recognition in American
Heritage Girls. It is a multi-faceted award that honors girls who
epitomize the AHG Oath and Creed. The award incorporates service,
leadership, badge work and religious award recognition. This award
takes hard work and dedication. Most of all, the Stars and Stripes is
a journey of faith for every girl who seeks to find her wings and fly.
During the week of January 12th, AHG conducted its first Stars
and Stripes Focus Week. Girls and leaders joined via webinars to
learn about the Award Procedure, to encourage Stars & Stripes
candidates and to celebrate recipients of AHG’s highest honor.
“The goal of the Stars and Stripes process is much more than the
award and the accolades,” explained AHG Program Specialist,
Melanie Reid. She said the greater goal is the experience, the
journey and the realization of a servant heart to lead with integrity.
Stars and Stripes candidates Caroline Durham from Troop SC7777
and Hannah Coffman from Troop MO2002 shared their Stars and
Stripes journeys during the Focus Week event. For both girls, their
journeys connected their passions to God’s purpose for their lives.
“Find something you are passionate about like an injustice that
needs to be addressed,” said Hannah. “Your passion will drive you.
Use that passion to stay motivated. And God will really guide you.
Lean on your mentor and pray regularly.”
“I learned that nothing in life will bring true happiness like serving,”
she said.
Caroline said she completed a 30-day fast to seek God’s direction
for her project. “I got down before the Lord and asked him for his
direction. I said, God, I need you to help me. And He came through
and showed up in amazing, personal ways throughout this project,”
Caroline added.
To learn about Hannah and Caroline’s Stars and Stripes’ projects
read more in this issue of Heritage Headlines.
Did you know AHG has a Stars and Stripes page on Facebook?
Check it out at www.facebook.com/AHGStarsStripesAward.
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A
s
l
Gi
r
#98 Katie Probst, Trailblazer-MA
Project: Painting a Food Pantry
Facility
“I have been volunteering at this
pantry for several years. I hope to
make the food pantry a more cheerful
place by painting the walls for the
volunteers and for those who come
there for food. I learned that I am
capable of leading a group during a
e
#97 Courtney McClendon, TN5624
Project: Dance VBS
“My project was more than I expected
it to be in every way. The planning
was much more complicated than
I ever expected, yet I think it has
been worth it. I have received more
spiritually out of this project than
I ever thought I would, and I hope
that the girls I worked with did,
too. I know that they grew in their
knowledge of the Bible, specifically
through what God has to say about
dance, and they grew in their ability
to dance, too. However, what they
truly took to heart is up to them and
only they know. Dance is fun, but
what I really wanted to convey to my
girls is that having fun is great, but
as soon as you learn to make every
breath, every gesture, everything
about praising Christ, then it really
becomes fun.” As part of an “event
project,” a detailed plan was left
behind for the church to follow for
future Dance VBS events.
Stars &
Stripes
g
Each Stars & Stripes recipient
is as unique as her project and
presentation. AHG congratulates
each recipient for her dedication to
Christ, her perseverance in the hard
work of the Stars & Stripes Procedure
and her loyalty in representing AHG
to her community. The most recent
recipients share their experiences
in their own words. This quarter’s
recipients include:
ica
er
n
Herit
During the Winter of 2014, a number
of young ladies worked diligently
and now have the honor of being
called a Stars & Stripes Recipient!
m
a
Stars and Stripes
Recipients
The Stars and Stripes Award teaches girls perseverance,
self-respect and a strong feeling of satisfaction. Girls who
earn the Stars and Stripes Award reflect the mission of AHG
to build women of integrity through service to God, family,
community and country.
A candidate must complete a number of requirements to
achieve this honor, including:
- Complete the Dolley Madison Level Award
- Earn a total of 16 Badges
- Earn the Religious Recognition associated with their
denomination
- Have held a leadership position in their Troop for a minimum
of six months
- Plan, develop, and provide leadership to others in a 100+
hour service project
- Write a Life Ambition/ Spiritual Walk Essay and mini-resume
- Receive at least 3 Letters of Reference
- Pass a Board of Review
project, but have still more to learn about
planning. Thinking back on this project, I
now see that AHG is trying to get us to not
just recite the Oath but to also live it. This
kind of project gives us an opportunity
to do just that. By working on the food
pantry, we were trying to serve people
in our community and, therefore, serving
our loving God. I would definitely advise
other Candidates to use the Creed as a
guideline for good leadership. My best
advice: double check your supplies.
Don’t leave anything for the last minute.
Be ready for the project [implementation]
at least a week ahead of time. But most
of all have fun with your project. If you
don’t like your project, pick another one.”
#99 Courtney Schupert, MT181
Project: Bookshelves/storage cabinet for
child advocacy organization
“Through this project I have learned that I
can make a difference in my community.
If there is a need I recognize and want to
fix, I can fill that need, create a game plan
on how to accomplish it, garner financial
and volunteer support, and complete
it. I learned about woodworking, the
generosity of businesses and volunteers,
God’s Provision, and about what it truly
means to ‘serve in my community’ as
promised in the American Heritage Girls
Oath. Through this project I was
also able to demonstrate many
of the elements of the American
Heritage Girls Creed. Specifically,
I practiced being compassionate
toward others, helpful even when
inexperienced, honest with others
about project needs, perseverant
through problems, resourceful with
how I used materials, respectful
towards my Troop Leaders and all the
volunteers, responsible for making
sure the project was completed, and
at all times being reverent toward
God and His people. Yes, I believe
that AHG strengthened my spiritual
walk. Specifically, it helped me
to put my faith into action through
service and through being a leader
to the younger girls in my Troop.
Being around the younger girls
has really made me more aware
of my influence on others and the
responsibility that goes along with
it.”
#100 Michelle Schlavin, NM0356
Projects: Quilts for the elderly
“My goal in making the 18 quilts
for these wonderful seniors was to
remind them that they are loved! I
also wanted to teach the girls how
important it was to remember the
elderly. I learned that by being a
leader I can have a lot of fun too!
I had a great time throughout the
project, especially with the younger
girls as I showed them what to do
and made them laugh. I think the
project helped me improve in that I
have gained confidence in my ability
to lead. One of the ways I grew a lot
during this time was through prayer.
I have always been one to keep
very busy and so when I added the
project it added a lot of stress and,
on occasion, tears. I was so busy
I was getting run down and I just
wanted to quit. Between my parents
and prayer I was able to complete
the project. Having that constant
ability to talk to God at any time is
just awesome. I hope I never forget
just how amazing it is.”
#101 Danielle Schmidt, MN0100
Project:
Portable
handicapaccessible cabin
“This was an extremely challenging
project to do but it was worth it. I am
excited to watch a larger variety of
campers be able to attend camp and
experience the most memorable
parts of scouting. Some of the best
memories are made at camp, and
youth grow in many ways. I am
glad I was able to make it possible
for more kids to experience that. If I
were to start over I would work more
diligently from beginning to end.
With such a big project I needed
to persevere through each task in
order to get it all done. AHG fueled
my spiritual life and my confidence
a little each week. I needed to prove
the Oath and Creed in my life.
Having the highest honor means I
really need to represent it well.”
#102 Hannah Coffman, MO2002
Project: Boutique for trafficking
rescue center
“Stars & Stripes is literally like
having a 24/7 job! You will have to
make sacrifices. You will have to
agree and make the commitment to
be dedicated to earning the Award
and doing whatever it takes to keep
yourself focused and motivated. Don’t
give up! Follow every flow chart, check
list, and time line, otherwise you may
miss a step and compromise completing
the project and getting the Award. I
know that I’ve been blessed by this
opportunity to positively impact such an
amazing cause, and I will treasure these
memories I’ve made throughout the
project for a lifetime. I couldn’t have done
this without God, and I’m so excited for
the girls who will be benefitting from my
project. I can be a very selfish person,
but I’ve come to realize that whenever
you decide to reach out to someone or
make a difference in people’s lives, that
is where you will find true satisfaction. No
material possession or self-satisfaction
will ever please you in the way loving
God and His people will.”
blessings and so much personal
growth. I would also say, “Pray, pray,
pray!” Prayer is powerful and it will be
your rock. Make sure you enjoy and
treasure this experience. There will
be good and bad, ups and downs,
but you will learn a great deal about
yourself, about the people around
you, your relationship with God and
so much more. It is an amazing and
beautiful time of challenge, victories
and growth. I have learned that being
a leader does not mean you are a
dictator, but that instead, the most
effective way to lead is by listening,
encouraging, being positive and
showing by example. As part of this
‘event project’ a detailed plan was
left behind for the shelter to follow for
future day camp events.”
#103 Hannah Johnson, OK0405
Project: 200 provision boxes and bags
for homeless
”God truly took hold of this project. I
was reminded daily that this was not my
project but His. I was just a small tool
for Him to use. The mistakes I made
were good learning experiences, and
were easily corrected with the help of
my family and friends. I called, met with,
emailed, texted, and worked with tons of
businesses asking for different items to
put into the boxes and bags. There were
200 boxes and bags total, which means
this project will touch 200 people’s lives
one way or another. Maybe people will
read the scriptures and see the items
and be thankful for God’s everlasting
love….will help maintain and encourage
the people in my city, which is all that
really matters to me. Don’t stop. There
will be days when you are so sick and
tired of your project, you will just want
to quit then and there. But don’t! Just
remember who you are doing this for:
your community, and your Heavenly
Father. In the end it will be worth it.”
#105
Catherine
McCreadie,
MN0100
Project: Remodel and upgrade of
sewing room at afterschool center
“My project helped me to realize that
it really is through service to God,
family, community, and country that
I will change and grow. If I only do
things for myself I won’t get nearly
as much out of the experience. My
project also showed me that it is
through service that a community
is created. This happened as my
volunteers were able to meet the
kids who will benefit from my project.
I hope to always be connected with
AHG. I have enjoyed it so much, and
it has changed me. I listed AHG as my
#1 activity on college applications.
AHG encompasses so much of what
I believe and what I strive to be. AHG
has given me so much, and I want to
give back.”
#104 Emily Poon, CA0222
Project: Three-day camp for homeless
shelter kids
“To other Candidates I would say, don’t do
this with the attitude that it is a checklist
for you to fill in. Your Stars and Stripes
project is an opportunity for so many
#106 Katelyn Lundquist, FL0714
Project: Flora identification signs at
wildlife preserve
“I chose this project because I
believe that learning can be fun. I
wanted something challenging that
would benefit the community and
help people learn. I learned that
in order to direct a large amount of
people and to get them to complete
a given task, you need to know what
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you’re doing, make sure everyone else knows what they’re doing, and have a good attitude through it all. I felt like I
wasted way too much energy just worrying about how everything was going to turn out. Instead of worrying, let God
handle everything, take everything little by little and step by step, and have fun.”
#107 Rachel Ham, TN0215
Project: Supply drive and landscaping for pregnancy center
“Throughout my project I learned that I can make split-second decisions when the need arises. I didn’t question my own
judgment and impede progress by wavering on choices. I grew spiritually by recognizing the importance of humility in my
life. While working on the project, I realized many times that my ways are not always the best. Flexibility is key, and in
every moment I should be open to God’s gentle direction. I truly internalized cherishing my family. While I am living with
my family, they are my primary ministry, even in simple things like doing the dishes and laundry on busy days. Instead of
using my abilities and achievements for my own ends, I desire God to use them for His kingdom. I know wherever He
places before me, He expects nothing less than my best.”
#108 Caroline Durham, SC7777
Project: Craft drive and activity day for disabled center
“The Center staff and participants will be forever impacted by the fact that a teenage girl, guided by Christ, would actually
want to love on people with special needs and disabilities. I really didn’t want this to be just a one-time thing, so I have
created some future plans for continued involvement with the Center. I have compiled several ideas for future craft
projects in a craft booklet for the Center. The Director informed me at our second meeting that she is going to start an
AHG Troop at her church as a result of me asking to do the project. Before this project, I was terrified of leading people.
But as God has helped me to take steps of faith, I have found that if you rely on Him, He can and will use you, no matter
how small or insignificant you think you are. God loves to use the seemingly small and weak for His work. You know
why? He wants to show you how mighty He is. And this is what God has shown me about being a leader.
Girls Take Leadership Outdoors
Camporee Programs Ideal
to Utilize Older Girls for
Leadership Roles
Hosting a Troop or multi-Troop
weekend campout or “Camporee”
is a time when many Troops utilize
the leadership abilities of their
Pioneers and Patriots. Troops
use these planned activities
as opportunities for older girls
to organize and run centers of
activities, assist with set up, host
the evening campfire or provide a
simple Sunday morning worship
service in the woods! Troops are
encouraged to consider how to
include their Pioneer and Patriots
when planning outdoor events. This
is a “proving ground” in the making
for developing future leaders!
Troops often encourage girls to
serve on the camping committee
and to take on planning and running
a few of the activities. These
responsibilities can also assist girls
in earning their Level Awards. Girls
that have earned their Outdoor
8
Skills Badge or other outdoor badges,
are often ready to teach some of those
skills to the younger girls. What a great
way to develop their leadership skills and
mentor the younger girls! Troops can
find resources for developing older girls
at www.ahgonline.org/girlleadership.
Outdoor Skills Boot Camp
Every year in South Carolina AHG
Troops attend an Outdoor Skills Boot
Camp. Many of the Outdoor Skills
badges are earned by the girls in the
9-18-years-old levels. At Outdoor Skills
Boot Camp the girls not only work
through the requirements of badges
such as Outdoor Cooking, Fire Safety
& Fire Building, Outdoor Skills and
Camping, but they can also be equipped
to teach the skills to the younger girls.
“Watching high school girls master a
skill then teach it to the younger girls is
a rewarding experience,” says SC7777
Camp Director Melanie Reid.
The Outdoor Skills Frontier
Archery
Golf
Boating Safety Hiking
Camping
Horsemanship
Canoeing
Nature & Wildlife
Climb On!
Outdoor Cooking
Cycling
Outdoor Skills
Fire Safety &
Snow Skiing &
Fire Building
Snowboarding
Fishing
Swimming
More badges are on their way!
Do you have an idea for Outdoor
Skills
Badge?
Contact
the
Program department at baylissb@
ahgonline.org.
Girl Leadership Retreat
“Jesus Style”
Betsy Culbreth is an AHG Girl Leadership
Coordinator and the Stars and Stripes
Advisor for Troop TX2928. She also serves
on the board of the Galveston-Houston
Archdiocesan Committee on Catholic Girl
Scouting for the six Catholic-chartered AHG
Troops, with two more Troops in the works in
the Houston area.
Eighty girls and leaders from the
Southwest Region started the
year off right with a three-day Girl
Leadership Retreat on the beautiful
grounds of Camp Allen in Navasota,
TX. Pioneers, Patriots and adults
from 19 Troops in three states came
together to learn about leading
“Jesus style.” Participants benefitted
from presentations, activities and
prayer led by a team of four girls and
eight adults who had been preparing
and meeting by Skype for a couple of
months. While most arrived to find a
group of strangers, all left with new
friends, lots of ideas and tools to help
them lead with God-confidence.
Drawing from youth and adult
leadership training materials from
the BSA, Lead Like Jesus, One Girl
Can Change the World, and others,
the team sculpted a program that
was uniquely AHG and centered on
Christ. Additionally, girls contributed as
small group leaders, song leaders, and
dorm time-keepers.
A favorite activity among the girls was a
series of outdoor team-building exercises
that challenged them to communicate,
work together, plan, and have a common
vision. They also enjoyed learning new
action songs to take back to their Troops.
The success of this experience was aided
by more than 300 prayer supporters who
had been listed on 35+ colorful pages
around the conference room. Some of
the prayer supporters were from as far
away as Spain and India!
A few of the girls who attended the
retreat took their experience back to
Troop TX0226 in Plano, TX, where
they planned their Troop’s entire spring
semester. They formed squads, made
new positions, and established a Senior
Squad Leader and Assistant Senior
Squad Leader to lead things. Their adult
From the Girl’s Perspective
By Elizabeth Stillwell
12-year-old 7th grade Pioneer, TX0771
Roanoke, Texas
I attended the January 2014 AHG Girl Leadership Retreat
and my favorite thing was the team building activities. These
fun games were designed to teach us cooperation and how
to be a leader.
Leaders are excited to have the girls
doing the planning now!
Another retreat participant from Troop
TX2928 in Houston commented,
“We learned how to be leaders for
Christ and had fun while we did it. I
feel more equipped to be the leader
of a group or project. And I would not
have gotten an accountability partner
without this retreat.”
While there is still plenty of room for
improvement, this was a great firstattempt at an event of this nature.
The retreat organizers are already
looking at how this experience can
be taken to a new level, and many
of the girls are asking to come back
for more.
All the games were challenging and fun. By participating
in these games we learned the importance of
communication for both teammates and leaders. Each of
us had the chance to be a great leader, and we learned to
cooperate with each other. United, we can be amazing!
One game had seven people. We had to get on two boards
then try and walk together. Another game was a mindboggling traffic jam game. There was a life-sized, two-rowed
checker board. We could only move one square at a time
and we had to trade places. It was difficult, but fun!
In another game we, as a team, had to stack about 16 nails
on the head of 1 nail without leaning the nails up against
anything. Last, there was a spider web game, where each
teammate could only go through one hole in the web. We
even lifted someone over the web!
9
American Heritage Girls
Respects Life
for the girls to serve, and they were able to enjoy serving to the fullest
extent.”
Girls from AHG Troops VA0633, VA1115, and IL0224 served at the
LiVG event. The girls were treated to snapshots with Christian singer
and songwriter Matt Maher and members of his band, as well as Fr.
Augustino Torres, CFR., and Archbishop Gregory Michael Aymond of
the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Maddie Goodwin, a Patriot from Troop IL0224, said, “There were
many thought-provoking and moving moments during the program. I
will always treasure the opportunity I had to make a difference at this
event.”
Life is Very Good @ March for Life
American Heritage Girls, Inc. (AHG) assisted
the Diocese of Arlington as the largest sponsor
at their national prayer gathering and rally called
“Life is Very Good (LiVG)” in Arlington, Virginia/
Washington, D.C., prior to the March for Life,
January 21-22. AHG provided financial support
and water bottles at the sold-out event, serving
8,500 teens who traveled across the country to
participate in the March for Life. Blizzard-like
conditions could not keep the youth away from
this memorable event.
This year’s March for Life marked the 41st
anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Participants
marched as a witness to the truth concerning
the greatest human rights violation of our time,
legalized abortion on demand. The over-arching
theme of the LiVG program was a deep and
profound respect for all life, from conception to
natural death, extending not only to the unborn,
but also to the people God puts in our lives.
Marybeth Slocumb, Chair of the AHG National
Catholic Committee said, “I think that in
participating in an event such as this, the girls in
American Heritage Girls are able to demonstrate
living the parts of the AHG Creed that say an
American Heritage Girl is compassionate,
respectful and reverent.”
“This is an opportunity to live what they are
professing, and to live it in a beautiful and
meaningful way,” she said.
Julie Goodwin, AHG’s National Catholic
Relations Specialist reported, “AHG had a
very real presence at the event. We had girls
in uniform handing out programs and water
bottles, as well as greeting people and acting as
Communion Ushers during Mass and bringing
up the Offertory Gifts. It was a great opportunity
10
Freya Slocumb, a 13 year old Pioneer from AHG Troop VA0633 said,
“I had a great time hanging out with friends, and at the same time, I
was giving service to my community, and showing support for the prolife movement. It was a great way to show respect for God’s great
gift of life!”
AHG Announces
Respect Life
Patch
American Heritage Girls (AHG)
has created a Respect Life Patch
to reinforce the organization’s
commitment to honoring life from
conception to natural death.
Troops can earn the patch by
participating in an event that
brings attention to respecting life
or by providing a service project
for an organization whose
mission/purpose demonstrates
a desire to respect life, including
but not limited to pregnancy
resource centers, pro-life groups
and hospices.
The Respect Life Patch will
be available in the AHG online
merchandise Attic after March
1st.
“One of the things that attract
so many girls to AHG is our
strong affirmation of the
Biblical
worldview,
which
includes respecting all life from
conception to natural death,”
said Patti Garibay, AHG
executive director and founder.
“Over the years AHG Troops
have supported life in a variety
of ways, and we are pleased
to offer them the opportunity to
earn this patch and display it on
their uniforms,” she added.
The idea for a Respect Life
Patch originated when girls in
Michigan AHG Troops designed
and earned a Pro-Life Patch
for participating in events that
support the pro-life movement.
The Respect Life Patch
also includes service to the
marginalized, disabled and the
elderly.
Has your Troop participated in a
“respect life” activity or service
project? Share your story and
pictures at:
[email protected].
Earning Native American
Badge Leads to
Outdoor Fun
More than 100 American
Heritage Girls and Leaders
gathered around a council
fire on Friday night at
Weatherford’s
Camp
Holland to learn about Native
Americans and hear the
sounds of a Native American
flute and hand drum and the
voices of Sayani, a Native
American mother-daughter
musical team. Sayani sang
songs in both English and
in their native tongue. They
told the girls about their lives as
Native Americans.
The weekend campout hosted
in Weatherford, Texas, had girls
participating in a wide range of
activities that would have been done
in the past by Native Americans.
Activities
included
knife
and
tomahawk throwing, archery, travois
races (lashing), fire building, ring
and pin and double ball. The local
Springtown
Legends
Museum
brought artifacts from Native
Americans from the local area. The
campsites were filled with Native
American items that the girls made in
Outdoor
Fun
preparation for the camp. Some of these
items were sample dwellings, rabbit skins
the girls tanned themselves, pioneering
projects adorned with feathers, rocks,
shells and arrowheads. Each Troop had
a flag and many had banners that they
made to represent their given tribes.
The girls participated in a Native
American cooking contest. Judges from
the community were treated to a wide
variety of Native American meals, all
prepared by the girls. One meal provided
by a local Troop which included Muscovy
duck stew. They had butchered the duck
themselves and then marinated it in
molasses and herbs. The stew included
vegetables the girls had grown
and herbs they had harvested
from the land. To complement
this main course the girls ground
their own mesquite beans using
a mortar and pestle to make
flour. Next they ground wheat
to make wheat flour and then
mixed with fresh milk and free
range chicken eggs to create
mesquite bean flat cakes. To
top off the meal they made
roasted pumpkin seeds in the Dutch
oven. They then served their meal
in containers they had made out of
gourds and a serving platter they
had lashed together. The meals
were presented to the judges inside
of an authentic 20 foot teepee. Many
of the on-looking girls were wearing
Native American regalia.
Camp Director LeAnn Russell,
TX5160, commented “Even though
in reality the girls were in the middle
of the city, Camp Holland gives
the feeling of truly being out in the
country. The nights are filled with
the sights and sounds of wildlife
with owls hooting and raccoons
looking for leftover s’mores. In the
early mornings the campers were
greeted by deer and the melodies
of songbirds.” The campers ended
the campout by completing projects
to leave the campground better than
they had found it. All departed with a
wealth of memories as they headed
back to their homes. Some came
from as far as Shreveport, LA, Tulsa,
OK and Houston, TX.
AHG’s National Pen Pal Program
Each year, girls wait with anticipation to receive the name of their pen pal. This year, a record
number of girls are beginning new freindships using the power of the pen. Each fall, pen pals
are given the opportunity to begin to get to know and pray for another AHG member, often from
across the country.
If your daughter has chosen to begin this adventure, please assist her in keeping her commitment
to write at least once each month for all of 2014. Participation patches are distruibuted via the
Troop Coordinator. If you misplace an address or a pen pal isn’t writing, please contact the
parent via the provided parent email address. Thank you AHG Members for making the Pen
Pal Program an overwhelming success!
11
other girls, a Troop where girls could
grow and develop.
Since then I’ve invested much time
and energy in helping to strengthen
our Troop where more girls can
grow in their love of Christ and be
mentored by Godly women. They
can be encouraged to become
who they are - significant, precious
children of God. My hope and
desire is to be able to help others,
particularly girls, to reach their full
potential in Christ.
My Story
Every Ministry Expansion Lead, aka
MEL, has a strong desire to grow the
AHG Ministry. Lynelle Lindberg shares
her AHG story.
Before AHG, I had the opportunity to
witness what was to be gained by having
children participate in scouts. My husband
and I were soooo impressed with the
growth our son was experiencing in scouts
and soon were in search of something
that our daughter could participate in as
well. In fact, it was she who repeatedly
would ask us, “when do I get to do what
Cal [her brother] gets to do?” meaning
camping trips, special events with parents
and social events with friends.
At that time my volunteering plate was full.
Homeschooling committees and church
volunteering took up all my “free time.” I
didn’t think I could take on another thing.
For three years I would walk by an AHG
booth at our homeschooling conference
and admit to my husband and myself that
I couldn’t take on another thing. We both
know that when I commit, I tend to give
150%. Then came the clear directive
from God—otherwise known in our house
as the 2x4 upside the head—that I was
to act in obedience and answer His call.
I was to contribute to starting a Troop
in our community for our daughters and
12
I also was fully aware of our hurting
world and concerned about the girls
of tomorrow. I became aware that I
could contribute, if even in a small
way, to steering girls to be selfconfident, safe and assured of their
feminine beauty in a world that so
often shouts the wrong message
and intent. Our daughters should
have opportunities to learn with their
peers what God desires for them.
And I could help make that happen.
I am so thankful to have this Ministry
available for my daughters. As a
youth I had several people who
invested time and energy in my
spiritual growth. They encouraged
me to step out of my comfort zone,
to try new things, some of which I
was sure I would fail at. Guess
what, with their assistance and
God’s grace, I was able to develop
some pretty important skills and
experience some things that I still
enjoy today.
The AHG program is a PERFECT
platform for girls to “try on some
new things”. Girls are surrounded
by caring adults who have their
individual best interests in mind
and, when needed, can pick them
up when they trip or fall. The women
and older girls encourage them
to persevere. The whole Troop
learns and grows together as they
encounter obstacles and joys along
the way. They bond as sisters in
Christ and experience a healthy,
supportive and loving environment.
As a recreation major
homeschooling
mom
I
and
am
continually analyzing the “complete”
experience. Without reservation, I
can recommend American Heritage
Girls to families. It is a complete
program! The founders and staff
have created a program that is
comprehensive and very successful.
The six program emphases make
for a well-rounded program for any
girl to experience fun, challenges,
growth and maturity…. All while
feeling God’s love and grace!
Regionally, my goal is to inform
people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul
area of the possibility for their
daughters to participate in AHG. I
am excited to bring AHG to the many
unreached communities in this area.
I am thrilled to see what God has in
store for these girls and honored to be
a part of growing women of integrity
with God’s plan for each and every
one of them being unveiled along the
journey. These girls will undoubtedly
be significant contributors to His
kingdom in the days and years and
come, thanks to American Heritage
Girls.
My heart delights in all the
opportunities that have been a part
of my daughters’ AHG experience.
I am hopeful that others in the Twin
Cities will be given the chance to
participate in American Heritage Girls
in the near future. Their daughters,
their families, and their communities
will benefit from a program that I love
dearly – American Heritage Girls!
Do you love to talk about AHG? Do
you have a heart to see AHG grow in
your community? Then you may be
qualified to be a Ministry Expansion
Lead (MEL).
The MEL is a volunteer responsible for
growing new AHG Troops in his/her
local area, with the purpose of growing
awareness of AHG in the surrounding
communities, allowing more girls to
enjoy the AHG experience.
To learn more about the position, read
the MEL job description on the AHG
website www.ahgonline.org under the
Areas & Committees tab.
God continues to bless AHG with growth
American Heritage Girls, Inc. continues to experience
growth in new Troops this program year, more than 731
Troops in 50 states and Trailblazers in 4 international
countries. As membership surpasses 33,000 members,
AHG continues to be humbled by the way God continues
to bless the ministry.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth. Psalm 115:1
New Troop Tuesday!
Keep up with AHG’s rapid growth via Facebook
Join AHG on Facebook every Tuesday and watch AHG
grow - www.facebook.com/AmericanHeritageGirls!
Here’s a glimpse at the new Troops so far this winter:
California
CA3403 Rancho Cucamonga Knights of Columbus/
Rancho Cucamonga
CA0760 Saint Mary Parish/ Escondido
CA0077 Knights of Columbus Council 6197/ Folsom
CA0221 Covenant Community Church/Orange
Florida
FL7145 Saint Thomas More Parish/Pensacola
FL1517 Good Shepard Lutheran Church/Shalimar
FL1013 The Haven Church of God/Winter Haven
Georgia
GA1331 Forsyth Christian Home Educators/Cumming
GA0415 Park Avenue United Methodist Church/Valdosta
indiana
IN0334 Mackey Church of the Nazarene/ Mackey
Kansas
KS0281 Teaching Parents Association/ Wichita
KS0007 Knights of Columbus/ Marysville
KS1690 Fellowship Bible Church/Gardner
Kentucky
KY2917 Shelby Christian Church/Shelbyville
Minnesota
MN0312 Beacon Homeschool Co-Op/ Brooklyn Park
Missouri
MO6506 Knights of Columbus Council 6506/Blue Springs
Mississippi
MS1271 The Pointe/ Brandon
MS0186 Carriage Hills Baptist Church/Southaven
North Carolina
NC0316 St Johns Lutheran Church/Conover
NC0716 Friendship Baptist Church/ Hope Mills
NC1224 Full Life Church/Concord
NC0100 Friends of Moratock Scouters, Inc/Roanoke
Rapids
Nebraska
NE0411 Northern Heights Baptist Church/Norfolk
New Mexico
NM2206 Aztec Baptist Church/Aztec
Nevada
NV0314 Terra Nova Ministries, Inc./Las Vegas
Ohio
OH3120 Springdale Nazarene/ Cincinnati
OH2505 Bluffton Baptist Church/ Bluffton
OH4912 Life Spring Christian Church/Harrison
Oklahoma
OK4889 Knights of Columbus Council 4889/Altus
OK0180 St Andrews United Methodist Church/Oklahoma
City
Oregon
OR0516 Santiam Christian School/Adair Village
OR0207 Solid Rock Baptist Church/Happy Valley
OR1437 BPOE 1437/Tillamook
Pennsylvania
PA0328 Cove Valley Christian Youth Camp/Mercersburg
PA2937 The Vineyard Christian Fellowship/Landenberg
Louisiana
LA2013 Carey Long Ministries/ Pearl River
LA0412 Emmanuel Baptist Church/Shreveport
LA3130 Pleasant Hill Church/West Monroe
Maine
ME1571 Ellsworth Elks #2743/ Ellsworth
Michigan
MI3498 Peace Lutheran Church/ Ann Arbor
13
South Carolina
SC1603 Victory Baptist Church/ Bonneau
SC0516 Bible Baptist Church/ Taylors
SC0041 Devenger Road Presbyterian Church/ Greer
South Dakota
SD1268 St Lambert Catholic Church/Sioux Falls
Tennessee
TN0110 First Christian Church of Johnson City/
Johnson City
TN0059 First Baptist Concord/Knoxville
Texas
TX2415 Bridgeway Church/ Copper Canyon
TX0624 St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church/
Robstown
TX0204 Sts. Simon & Jude Catholic Parish/ Spring
TX1213 St John Lutheran Church/ Boerne
TX0191 Denton Bible Church/ Denton
TX1330 Village Community Baptist Church/Wake
Village
TX0031 First Baptist Church of Celina, TX/Celina
TX2014 Santa Cruz Catholic School/Buda
TX0200
Longbranch Community Baptist Church/
Midlothian
TX0217 St Stephen’s Episcopal Church/Sherman
TX3129 Our Savior Lutheran Church/Grandbury
TX1611 JOY Chrisitan Academy/Decatur
Virginia
VA3130 Goshen Baptist Church/Spotsylvania
Washington
WA1577 Poulsbo Church of the Nazarene/Poulsbo
WA9208 Faith Lutheran Church & School/Lacey
wisconsin
WI1027 St Anne Catholic Church/Pleasant Prairie
west Virginia
WV0356
Fellowship Bible Church/ Shenandoah
Junction
S h a re
Yo u r
S t o ry
14
What’s Trending @AHG
More than 13,000 YouTube views of the AHG 2D
animated video
Instagram Father Daughter Dance, Joining Award
Ceremonies & Olympic Parties
More than 16,000 followers on Facebook
Did you know AHG has a Stars and Stripes
Facebook page? Check it out at www.facebook.
com/AHGStarsStripesAward
3,000 shares of the AHG Respect Life Patch
announcement on The Blaze.
Join the social media conversation using #loveAHG
AHG on the web @www.ahgonline.org
Twitter @AHGnews twitter.com/ahgnews
Facebook @AmericanHeritageGirls www.
facebook.com/AmericanHeritageGirls
YouTube @AHGchannel www.youtube.com/
ahgchannel
Instagram @AHGfun instagram.com/ahgfun
Pinterest @AHGpins www.pinterest.com/
ahgpins/
Share Your Story! Send Troop news and stories to
[email protected]
aHG is always collecting stories to share in the Heritage Headlines and other publications.
Please share stories about how AHG is making a difference in the lives of girls, families and
communities. Email your story and pictures, or story ideas, to [email protected] today!
As the Troop Coordinator of the American Heritage Girls,
Troop KY0454, it is my responsibility to insure that our
relationship with our partner church continues to grow
from year to year.
Partnering with a church is a relationship that can grow
and blossom over time. A healthy relationship between
Charter Partner and Troop is key to the long-term success
of a Troop. Across the country, there are Charter Partners
that have interlocked strongly with their Troops in ministry,
mentoring, and benevolence. Watterson Trail Church of
Christ, the chartering church for AHG Troop KY0454, in
Louisville, Kentucky, is one of these Charter Partners.
AHG T ROOP SETS EXAMPLE
ON PART NERING WIT H
SPONSORING CHURCH
By Connie Thomas
MCCS Trustee and AHG Leader
Having the Charter Representative support the Troop,
come to the meetings, and work with the youth is a
blessing. Nurturing the bond with our Charter and inviting
them to participate in annual events are essential to
maintaining a friendly rapport with those who grant you
the opportunity and privilege to be on of their ministries to
the community. Encouraging the members of the church
to become Leaders and volunteers or to participate in
an event is crucial to the basic elements of making the
connection.
When it comes to solidifying a Troop and Church
relationship, embracing oneness and working together
as a team is the ideal. Below are ways our Troop has
connected to form a partnership with our Charter Partner:
• Both Church and Troop events are announced in the
bulletin, on the calendar, from the pulpit, in the Troop
meetings, and on the bulletin board.
• Teaching the MCCS Servant Leadership Awards to
the church and the Troop at the same time in classes
is positive.
• Inviting the Church members, elders, teachers, and
ministers to serve as mentors is a plus. The youth from
the Church and the Troop become connected, and the
youth from the Troop become familiar with different
leaders of the church.
• Bringing together the Church and Troop in community
service and benevolence is one key element in
maintaining the connection. As in “Scouting for Food” or
“Care to Share” programs, the church provides drivers,
and the Troop does the ground work. The pantry
managers organize, and the Troop helps pack, mark,
and store items provided by the community. The food is
stored at the church and handed out to those in need.
On this day, volunteers from the Church and Troop,
work together to provide lunch for both communities.
• Starting an adoption program and service project
benefits both the Troop and members of the Church.
Our program is called the “Diamond Adoption Program.”
The girls participating in the program visit the home of a
needy member of the church on a monthly basis, to do
service work and to earn service hours. All participants
benefit and make lasting relationships throughout the
year.
• VBS, Ladies Day, and Youth Devotionals can be
attended by both Church and Troop members. When
planning camping trips, invite ministers, elders and other
members to provide devotionals for the Troop.
• Use the members of the church who are experts in a
talent or skill to teach the youth in the Troop what they
know about a certain subject. This way more members
visit the Troop and want to become involved. When
having the Pinewood Derby, our elders serve the Troop
breakfast. This way the elders meet the Troop and
connect with the girls and parents on a personal basis.
• At the end of the year we have a Dessert Auction. The
girls and members of the church are invited to the dinner,
bake a dessert, and then bid on the desserts. This is one
of the highlights of the year where both the Troop and the
Church come together to help the troop financially.
• The church recognizes all leaders, members, and youth
in the program on Scout Sunday.
There are many other examples of connecting with our
charter partner and working with them to blend together a
relationship that is a friendly and beneficial part of the ministry
of the Church. Having all Board members be in members of
the Chartering Church, is helpful to assure that the Troop is
well aligned with the goals of the Charter. Working with my
Charter and the Troop is a privilege. I count it a blessing,
knowing that through this partnership, the Lord has truly
worked to bring us together for the benefit of both groups
and the ultimate goal of spreading His Gospel to all.
15
Your Church
can charter
the next
AHG Troop
To bring the AHG Program to the girls in
your community, read “Steps to Starting
an AHG Troop” and then obtain the
required items outlined in the AHG Charter
Approval Checklist. For more information
on the role and responsibilities of a Charter
Organization, please read the Ministry
Charter Agreement.
▪ American Heritage Girls gives adults
the opportunity to participate and live
out their Christian values with youth
in a variety of settings. (Some adult
leaders may not feel comfortable in
teaching a Sunday school class, but
place them outdoors, in God’s beauty,
and it’s a different story.)
The Charter Organization assists in
developing a Troop Board to provide
leadership for the Troop. For tips on
choosing the right person to chair your
Troop Board, see the Coordinator
Candidate Questionnaire.
▪ American Heritage Girls can offer girls
many activities they desire: outdoor
trips, water sports and high adventure.
Read what other pastors and youth
leaders have said about AHG:
A
merican Heritage Girls serves as
both an outreach to unchurched girls
and a faith builder to those currently in
your church or school. AHG is a perfect
complement to Sunday School, youth
ministries and Bible memorization
clubs. Through a strong service
program, the benefits of the AHG
program to your church and school are
many!
Would AHG help you attain your youth
ministry’s goals? Begin by asking
some key questions:
? Is there a need for a program like
this in our community? Are there
children in our community who need
wholesome leadership and character
development opportunities?
Visit the AHG website to read more
about the answers to these questions:
? Does our ministry agree to the AHG
Statement of Faith?
? Are there caring, compassionate and
concerned individuals in your church,
school or community who would be
excited to give of their time and talents
and take leadership roles in an AHG
Troop?
If you need additional tools to share
with others, please complete the
Information Request Form.
16
“The American Heritage Girls has been
open and transparent about its proud
commitment to foundational Christian
principles of morality and virtue.”
- Bill Bowdle, Senior Pastor, Bethel United
Methodist Church
“May the Lord continue to guide your
efforts to provide young girls with positive
role models and a solid foundation of
morality and godliness.”
- Dr. James Dobson, Founder, Focus on
the Family
“Our Troop of 112 girls begin each meeting
with prayer. This program has filled a in
our outreach to young girls. We realize
that the future mothers and leaders in our
community need a place where they may
find godly women as role models.”
- Neal Gossett, Activities Minister,
Southeast Christian Church
Benefits to your Church
▪ American Heritage Girls can be used
as a method for introducing youth to the
Christian faith.
▪ A church that charters the American
Heritage Girls program takes ownership of
that program and molds it according to its
church’s principles and goals.
▪ An American Heritage Girls Troop can
offer Christian teaching that includes
prayer and bible study.
▪ The church’s values, and the mission of
AHG, are reflected through the Troop’s
leadership. The church has the privilege
and responsibility to select, screen and
approve all Troop leadership.
▪ American Heritage Girls can be
an outreach to the community. It
allows families to participate in a
non-threatening church setting and
encourages involvement in the church
body.
▪ AHG allows girls to put “legs on their
faith”, thus becoming an outward sign
of Christ’s love in their community.
▪ American Heritage Girls is a
complement to bible-based youth
programs such as Sunday school and
after-school programs. Children are
able to live their faith through AHG’s
leadership and character development
ministry, as well as be surrounded by
mentors of the faith.
▪ AHG is proud to be able to partner with
the Programs of Religious Activities
with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) organization and
the National Federation for Catholic
Youth Ministry (N.F.C.Y.M.) in order to
offer all American Heritage Girls the
opportunity to earn a religious award/
medal based upon her denominational
beliefs/affiliations.
“But Jesus said,
‘Let the children alone,
and do not hinder them
from coming to me; for
the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such as
these’.”
Matthew 19:14
For more information on starting a
Troop, visit www.ahgonline.org/startatroop
or call AHG’s National Membership
Department at 513.771.2025.
American Heritage Girls
Their Country
American Heritage Girls love their country and AHG
members across the country took time in November
to celebrate AHG’s Patriotism Month! Girls, families
and Troops participated in a variety of contests
demonstrating their commitment and love of country
through service and honor to those that serve. Visit
www.ahgonline.org/patriotismcontests
for
more
information. Congratulations to this year’s contest
winners:
Essay Contest:
“How AHG Has Taught Me to Love My Country”
1st Place Explorer: Jewell Mason, MI0711
Click here to read Jewell’s Essay!
1st Place Pioneer: Noelle Grace Ru Chapman,
CA2911
Read her essay here!
Photo Contests:
Best Military Family Photo
1st Place Tenderheart: Kathryn Cotellesso,
OH3617
1st Place Explorer: Emily Grace Lane, TX5160
1st Place Patriot: Elizabeth Michelle Harris,
MI3130
Troop Video Contest:
“How AHG Has Taught Us to Love Our Country”
First Place: OH1412
Click here to view!
Serve Project Contest:
Serving Veterans, Military and/or Domestic Forces
First Place:PA 0304 with “Quilts of Gratitude”
Click here to view their winning entry!
Second Place: OK0405 with “Honor Flight”
See their project details here!
Third Place: PA2551 with “Pi/Pa’s Dinner at
VFW”
Click here to view!
Float Contest:
Best Patriotic Troop Float
First Place: PA2011 with “Flanders Field”
Second Place: OK0405/OK1991/OK8601
Third Place (tie): AZ1212 with a “Veteran’s
Day” float & NC1212 with a “Salute to Service
Chaplains”
Learning that Memorial Day isn’t about picnics.
“This was at Memorial Day flag placement at our local
Veterans’ Cemetery. The girls had started out fairly serious,
but they are girls. A few minutes into the activity and it had
become a race to see who could place their flags the fastest.
I called two of our girls aside and we talked for a minute
about how every stone represented a person...A mom or dad,
brother or sister, someone’s child. Then they looked across at
how many, many headstones there were dotting the hills, and
they got it!! You can see in Meghan’s eyes a realization about
what she was truly doing to show care and love for someone
she didn’t know. She still drops her voice to a hush and
stares out the window if we drive by the cemetery.”
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Troop Traditions
Wreaths Across America
Deacon Tom Gotschall and AHG Troop GA1412 remembered our fallen
heroes by participating in the Wreaths Across America program. The
girls and their families fulfilled the Wreaths Across America mission:
“Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part by coordinating wreath
laying ceremonies a specified Saturday in December at Arlington, as well
as veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.”
For more information on the Wreaths Across America program, visit www.
wreathsacrossamerica.org/.
Parades
Troops across the country have a wonderful time marching in parades.
Whether for a local holiday celebration or a national event, hundreds of
Troops are making parades a part of their Troop Traditions.
Memorial Day Tribute
Submitted by Janet Sainsbury, Troop Vice Coordinator
AHG Troop PA2011 crafted a memorial tribute to our fallen soldiers for a
Memorial Day parade. A parade float was made to depict Flanders Field with
rows of crosses on a green field with poppies blowing between them. Each
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cross held the name of a fallen US soldier
from Pennsylvania including four from
Chester County. Framing the backside
of the “cemetery” on a “blue sky” was the
poem In Flanders Field by John McCrea.
The back of the float carried the words,
“Freedom is not Free,” and an American
Flag. PA 2011 also honored three local
living war heroes with decorative signs:
David Tift, Fred Nudy and Joe Toroni. Mr.
Tift walked with us.
As always The American flag and AHG
flags led our contingency followed by
our parade banner, our honoree, three
levels of girls—Pathfinder, Tenderheart
and Explorer—the float and Leaders.
We pulled our water and first aid kit in
a wagon decorated to be an Army jeep
which was left over from our inaugural
parade.
Gator Bowl
American Heritage Girls represented
once again in Florida’s Gator Bowl
Parade. Watch their TV appearance on
YouTube channel here.
Father Daughter Dance
The Fathers Daughter Dance at AHG
Troop MO1345 is a time-honored
tradition. This year, the “party pictures”
took on a whole new life when props,
hats and mustaches entered the scene.
New Troop Nook
favorite events for all involved was
the Roseman Rodeo which was
both fun and educational. The
Roseman family, veteran campers
and parents to several Boy Scouts
and one American Heritage Girl,
hosted this event in their back yard.
The girls learned basic camping
skills at six stations. Flag etiquette,
first aid, packing for camping, setting
up a tent, building a campfire, and
outdoor cooking were each taught
in small groups. The event ended
around the campfire with a one-pot
meal the girls helped prepare. This
will be a yearly event!
New Troop Begins with Service
By Kim Slane
Troop Coordinator, MO2013
A new American Heritage Girls Troop
has begun in Kirkwood, Missouri, in
the metropolitan St. Louis region.
Our Troop number is MO 2013 to
signify our state and the year we
began. The Charter Organization
is St. Peter Catholic Church, also
located in Kirkwood. St. Peter
Church has a parish school which is
celebrating its 150th anniversary this
year. The school has a population
of approximately 440 students and
offers a variety of activities for boys
and girls, but until this year there was
no American Heritage Girls group.
Word had spread of the strong
values and family-oriented activities
associated with AHG, and this Fall
the Troop at St. Peter, led by Kim
Slane and Fr. Mike Esswein, was off
the ground.
Our Troop has 52 registered girls
from 1st through 10th grade, with our
Tenderhearts making up the largest
group with 30 girls. The Tenderhearts
have been divided into three units
and have been working on several
badges.
The Explorers, Pioneers and Patriot
girls have completed the Joining
Award and four badges from the Girl
Handbook including the Cooking
badge, Our Flag badge, Emergency
Preparedness badge, and the Camping
badge.
Service is a top priority to the Troop and
its Leaders. So far we have served the
Charter Organization, St. Peter Catholic
Church. In a short amount of time, we
have helped with the following service
projects at St. Peter:
• Collecting canned goods for the
Food Pantry
• Helping set up and clean up at the
parish Blood Drive
• Helping at the parish Christmas Tree
Lot
• Donating food and covering two
shifts at the parish “Room at the Inn”
overnight lodging for the homeless
We will be working at two of the parish
Fish Fry Dinners in March, serving and
cleaning up. We will also be collecting
diapers and items needed for the
luncheon/fundraiser
for the local Birth
Right organization.
The St. Peter AHG Troop was
featured in the St. Louis Archdiocese
publication called The Catholic
Review. The girls were proud to
show the reporter how they start
their meetings with a color guard flag
ceremony to honor their country and
a prayer to honor their faith. They
also wore their American Heritage
Girls uniforms at the St. Peter School
Veteran’s celebration in November
where local veterans attend a mass
and reception. The girls also wore
their AHG uniforms and sat as a
group to show their support and unity
at the Boy Scout Sunday mass.
Awareness of American Heritage
Girls is growing in the community
through word of mouth and by the
example of our wonderful group of
girls and dedicated Leaders who are
working to offer the girls a worthwhile
experience.
In addition to service
and badge work, the
girls have already
managed
fun
activities
including
an all-Troop hike, a
tree-climbing event,
ice skating, indoor
swimming, and a
Troop campout is
scheduled for April
25-27. One of the
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AHG
Leads
From
The
Heart
The toys are destined for children at the Hospicio
de San Jose, a Catholic welfare organization
for orphans, special-needs children and elderly
people in Manila.
Typhoon Haiyan—called Yolanda in the
Philippines—with sustained wind speeds of 145
mph, made landfall five times as it traveled along
the Philippines. The Philippine National Disaster
Risk Reduction Management Council confirmed
6,155 deaths caused by the storm as of Sunday,
Dec. 29. Published reports from United Nations
officials say the typhoon affected millions of
people, leaving many homeless and in need of
food and other necessities.
AHG Troop CA5160 member Megan McLarty,
9, also helped get the bears ready to go to
the Philippines. She attached tags and wrote
messages telling the recipients they were praying
for them.
Teddy Bears for Typhoon Haiyan Victims
Members of the American Heritage Girls Troop CA5160
joined in relief efforts by sending 100 teddy bears to
children at a Philippine hospital.
Troop Coordinator Albert Cordero said 22 girls of the
Troop based at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church bought
the bears with the help of their Charter Organization,
Knights of Columbus Council 4041. Their goal was to tell
the children of the Philippines that someone cared about
their plight.
“The girls just wanted to reach out to the other kids and
let them know they are not alone,” Cordero said.
In December, the Troop gathered for a bear-tagging
party, writing prayers and words of encouragement on
cards and attaching them to the bears with ribbons.
“It was a good way to get the message across,” Cordero
said.
Cordero’s 10-year-old daughter, Gigi, is a member of the
Troop and helped in the bear project. She said working
on the bears and knowing she was helping other children
made her happy.
“It’s important to help and make them feel better,” Gigi
said. “It won’t replace everything, but it will make them
feel better.”
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“I know we were helping people,” Megan said. “It
made me feel pretty good.”
To read more of this article, visit the Tracy Press
website or click here.
2.5 days of fun, rejuvenation,
and equipping
● 60+ workshops for new and
seasoned AHG Leaders
● 5 inspiring General Sessions by
some of the field’s top experts
● 2 mornings of prayer, praise,
and music
● Conference t-shirt
● Snacks
● AHG Workshop Resources
● Exhibit Area to visit vendors,
partners, and other resources
●
Volunteers are encouraged to
purchase the “full” registration
package that will allow for the
greatest Conference experience.
This package includes Thursday’s
Celebration Banquet where attendees
will hear announcements about new
program initiatives, presentation of
National Awards, inspiring messages,
and more.
Keynote Speakers
Thursday
evening’s
celebration
banquet keynote speaker
• Michael Farris, Chancellor of
Patrick Henry College and Chairman
of the Home School Legal Defense
Association
Thursday general session keynote
speakers
• Phyllis Hendry the inaugural
president and CEO of Lead
Like Jesus. Under her capable
leadership since 2002, Lead Like
Jesus has had global impact
• Rebecca Hagelin, public speaker
on the family and culture and the
author of the new best seller, 30
Ways in 30 Days to Save Your
Family
leading from the heart
inside
AHG, Inc. is once again hosting a
National Leadership Conference.
Troop volunteers and parents from
across the country will gather at the
Nation’s Capital for a time of fun,
rejuvenation and equipping. This
year’s conference theme is “inside
out – leading from the heart” and will
offer attendees the following:
2014 National
Leadership Conference
June 26-28, 2014
Washington, D.C./
Northern Virginia Area
Friday general session keynote speakers
• Elisa Morgan, MOPS International
President Emeritus, Fulfill Magazine
Publisher
• Mary Rice Hasson, a Fellow
at the Ethics and Public Policy
Center’s Catholic Studies program in
Washington, D.C where as an attorney,
she focuses on issues related to family,
culture and sexuality
For More Information
Visit www.ahgonline.org/2014NLC to
learn more about the amazing line up
of workshops offered and to read AHG
Staff’s Top 10 Reasons why you should
make this event part of your summer
plans!
February 18th – May 12th
Early Registration Package - $130
(includes Celebration Banquet)
Early Registration “No Frills”
Package - $80
May 12th – June 6th
Regular Registration Package$160 (includes Celebration
Banquet)
Regular Registration “No Frills”
Package - $100
Registration
Now Open!
American Heritage Girls Board Members
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Mike Tillar, President – Cincinnati, OH
Greg Schmidt, Vice President – Anchorage, AK
Nick Harshfield, Interim Treasurer – Louisville, KY
Larry Cunningham, Chairman – Cincinnati, OH
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Vickie Burress – West Chester, OH
Larry Carpenter – Franklin, TN
Nancy Dendramis – Cincinnati, OH
Pat Garibay – Cincinnati, OH
Rob Rye - Arcadia, CA
Dana Steele - Suffolk, VA
John Young – Milford, OH
EX OFFICIO
Patti Garibay – Cincinnati, OH
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ahgconnect
Introducing AHGconnect!
AHG’s new online tool is taking shape! AHG’s Fall Troop Survey
revealed an overwhelming desire for online reporting capabilities
and less paperwork. AHG has heard your request! In response,
AHGconnect will allow key Troop members immediate, electronic
connection to AHG, Inc. for registration, form submission,
Charter Renewal and more. AHGconnect will improve the speed
and accuracy of shared data and simplify Troop reporting.
AHGconnect will have too many features to be released all at
once, so AHG plans to deliver capabilities timed to coincide
with a Troop’s program year schedule. The first phase will be
available in time for the award ordering cycle beginning in March
2014. Detailed instructions and training will be provided to Troop
leadership.
Phase One Will Deliver:
• Ability to view and print “real time”member rosters
• Girl Level Award & Leader Award Recording & Ordering
• Data export to Troop Management Software
Future Phases Will Deliver:
• Girl/Adult Registration
• Electronic Charter Renewal
• Troop Trip Notification and Approval
• Recording of Adult Volunteer Training
• Online payment capabilities
For additional information on AHGconnect, please refer to the
flyer and FAQ.
New National Staff Position
Julie Goodwin,
National Catholic Relations Specialist
AHG is pleased to welcome a new staff member, Julie Goodwin,
who will serve as National Catholic Relations Specialist. Julie’s
focus will be to grow new AHG Troops in designated Catholic
Dioceses.
Would
you
like to contribute to that
process? Perhaps you have
connections with Catholic
members and leaders who
might serve as pathways to a
growing relationship between
AHG and a Catholic Diocese.
Feel free to contact Julie at
[email protected]
to
introduce yourself and to
offer your recommendations
of people you believe Julie
should get to know.
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Interested in helping
AHG grow?
There are a number of ways to
assist AHG in reaching more girls.
From building awareness to starting
new Troops to joining the AHG staff,
there is a place for you!
NEW 2D animated video!
Have you watched the new 2D
animated promotional video from
AHG? Use this video to promote
AHG with your church, family and
friends
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=vRWNgOXexy0.
Are you ready to start
a new Troop?
Learn how to LAUNCH AHG into
your community by visiting www.
ahgonline.org/startatroop
and
access great marketing tools at
www.ahgonline.org/news.
Can
you help AHG reach more girls this
year?
Job Opportunities at AHG
Is God Calling You to Ministry Work?
AHG is growing! AHG needs Christdriven employees who are eager
to share their talents and skills
in a high energy, faith-filled work
environment. For a list of positions
and job descriptions, visit www.
ahgonline.org/workforahg. AHG
invites you to answer God’s calling
and to share your career skills by
building women of integrity through
service to God, family, community
and country.
Merchandise
Monday
Sale
Introducing
the
AHG
ATTIC
Merchandise Monday Sale every
week that changes each Monday.
The AHG Attic Online Store will
have a new sale every week that
changes each Monday. You’ve
never been happier to wake up to
Monday morning!
Merchandise Monday Sneak Peek
These sales and more coming your
way.
• Patriotic Week, Sale on Select
Red, White & Blue Items
• Drink Ware Sale, Save on all the
AHG Attic Drink Ware
• Bags and Backpacks on Sale
One Week Only
AHG will share all the exciting
deals ahead, two weeks at a time,
via Friday’s Parent/Leader emails.
Be sure to check emails, AHG’s
Facebook Page, Twitter, and
Instagram to discover these great
deals on all your favorite AHG
exclusive items!
Visit the AHG Attic at store.
ahgonline.org to view all the great
merchandise items!
“ASCing” You to Help Grow Women of Integrity
American Heritage Girls is dedicated to growing today’s girls into
tomorrow’s women of integrity. This commitment is evident in every
aspect of the program. It is beautiful to hear girls reciting the AHG Oath
in unison: “I promise to love God, cherish my family, honor my country,
and serve in my community” and to watch our nation’s daughters
as they actively incorporate the AHG creed into their lives: “As an
American Heritage Girl, I will be compassionate, helpful, honest, loyal,
perseverant, pure, resourceful, respectful, responsible, and reverent.”
The AHG program emphasizes learning life skills through a multi-level
badge program, with an outdoor focus that encourages teamwork and
cultivates servant hearts. It is filled
with girl leadership opportunities
and develops the whole person
in character, confidence building,
social skills and spiritual growth; all
Annual Stewardship Campaign
in a safe, nurturing environment.
ASC
There continues to be a great need for increased awareness of the AHG
program. AHG currently reaches less than 1% of the 30 million girls in
this country between the ages of 5-18. Your donation of money, time
and prayer can change that. AHG is “ASCing” you to make a gift and to
ask others to give to this ministry now through March 31st.
The Annual Stewardship Campaign dollars this year will focus in two
Key areas: to (1) provide technology tools to Troops and to (2) reach
out to more girls so that their families and communities will be impacted
through the AHG program. Your help in sharing resources and promoting
the AHG program will make a change today that will impact our nation’s
future leaders, wives and mothers.
Donate Your Gift and Share the AHG Mission with the links below.
Millions of girls are waiting for you to act.
Twitter #ISupportAHG; #loveAHG
Give Online: www.ahgonline.org/donate
The Ministry of
AHG continues to
make a difference
in our Nation with
over 730 Troops
and more than
33,000 Members.
Girls served in their
communities and
our world with over
329,553 service
hours for the 20122013 program
year.
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Check out the Spring 2014 Edition
of the Heritage Headlines for of the FAIT H,
SERVICE and FUN that is AHG!
ica
er
n
l
OAT H
Herit
s
m
a
A
American Heritage Girls is family-friendly and
faith-based – perhaps the AHG Oath says it best:
g
e
Gi
r
American Heritage Girls, Inc
175 TriCounty Pkwy, Suite 100
Cincinnati, OH 45246
I promise to Love God,
cherish my family,
Honor my country
and serve in my community.
Read about the Faith,
Service & Fun that is AHG!
www.ahgonline.org
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