(Digital Editor's Note: This article was first published in the September 2023 print edition of The Stand.)
“I could no longer represent the Girl Scouts of the USA as a Christian woman. So I thought I would start something small,” said Patti Garibay, American Heritage Girls founder and executive director.
After faithfully serving her local Girl Scout community for 12 years, Garibay noticed a troubling shift in the group’s dedication to faith. In 1993, the organization dropped its reference to serving God in its Girl Scout Promise. More than just mere words, the promise was recited by troops at the beginning of each meeting and stated the truths and values Girl Scouts instilled in each young participant.
“They were no longer going to mandate an oath to God,” Garibay said in a recent interview with The Stand.
Garibay became aware of the change through radio and nightly news. As a Christian and Girl Scout volunteer, she knew she had to do something. But what? How could one woman compete against a national organization?
In 1995, Garibay took a leap of faith and started her own Christ-centered scouting group, American Heritage Girls (AHG), for girls ages 5-18. Today, the ministry has grown into 62,000 members, 1,400 troops, and 20,000 volunteers.
“That is only because of the power of the Holy Spirit!” Garibay exclaimed.
The early days
Garibay’s first AHG troop consisted of 23 girls in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. After breaking away from Girl Scouts, all but two girls from her original Girl Scout troop joined her in this new adventure.
“I thought I would do something small for my third daughter who needed a character development program,” stated Garibay. “Now, we are 28 years along in American Heritage Girls. I thank God that He had a bigger plan than mine.”
By the end of AHG’s first year, 100 girls across Ohio had participated. Yet, the AHG team felt the Lord was calling them to spread nationwide. With the help of letters, faxes, radio, phone calls, and word of mouth, AHG expanded. But there was one location the team was hesitant to reach – California.
God had other plans.
“The very first AHG troop outside of Cincinnati was in California,” Garibay told The Stand. “I think the Lord was trying to tell me, ‘Girl, this isn’t about you; this is all about Me, and I can do greater things.’”
Program overview
AHG focuses on six Christ-centered emphases: faith, leadership, social and emotional [well-being], outdoor [activities], citizenship, and life skills. According to the AHG website (americanheritagegirls.org), each girl who completes the AHG program will be “a servant leader who is honoring, relational, anchored in Christ, and competent: a woman of integrity.”
Within AHG, there are five different program levels, Pathfinder (ages 5-6), Tenderheart (ages 6-9), Explorer (ages 9-12), Pioneer (ages 12-14), and Patriot (ages 14-18). With these age-specific levels, the program uniquely serves the “physical, mental, social, spiritual, and emotional needs” of participants.
“For us, a girl who understands who she is and Whose she is – is absolutely imperative,” said Garibay.
Typical to other scouting organizations, AHG also offers a badge program for the Tenderheart, Explorer, Pioneer, and Patriot groups. Troops can earn badges in six areas: heritage, personal well-being, family living, arts, science and technology, and outdoor skills. The longer girls participate in the program, the more likely they are to earn capstone awards, such as AHG’s most prestigious award – the Stars & Stripes Award, which honors perseverance, self-respect, and a strong sense of satisfaction.
Stars & Stripes Award candidates must complete a substantial service project, which they plan, lead, and implement. Girls have the opportunity to exercise servant leadership, project management, communication skills, time management, and organization – all while blessing their communities in outstanding ways.
In the 2021-2022 year, 147 AHG participants received this impressive award. Some of the service projects completed included prayer gardens, renovations, and even the founding of an English as a second language (ESL) tutoring program.
“We really break the mold about what the world is telling girls today in that we are back to biblical truth and principles,” Garibay continued. “We believe that girls have great power, not because they’re girls, but because of the Holy Spirit’s power within the girl.”
Girls rooted in truth
While AHG leaders teach the beauty, basics, and blessings of womanhood, they also teach girls the importance of having godly grit and grace. AHG uses the acronym GRIT (Girls Rooted in Truth) to remind girls that if they are rooted in Christ, they can face whatever comes their way.
“When you’re that kind of person who knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord loves you, His Word is true, and that you can walk honorably through any crowd speaking without hesitation, with a humble heart – you are strong,” Garibay explained. “[These girls] are strong, but they are only strong because they know Who gives them strength.”
One way that AHG girls reveal strength is through acts of service. Rather than just focusing on the “required” projects, AHG troops develop a lifelong love and passion for serving others as Christ served the church.
“These girls are being the hands and feet of Christ,” said Garibay. “Not just on Sundays. Rather, they are doing life together, serving together, and understanding how Jesus led with humility.”
On the forefront
In today’s culture, there is no denying the blatant attack on girls. Or, as Garibay calls it, a “barrage on girlhood.” In her 30 years of ministry, she has seen the many different ways Satan has attempted to lead young women astray. But with the advancement of technology and social media, she said that today’s girls are being impacted more than ever.
“I believe the adversary really knows the power and influence of a woman because the Lord has created us that way,” stated Garibay. “The biblical femininity that we enjoy is very influential. And you’ve heard the adage that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the nation – it is so very true.”
At AHG, the mission is to counter Satan’s schemes and spread the hope of Jesus. Rather than allowing the enemy to attack these young women aimlessly, AHG is arming them with the truth to help them combat the culture’s lies. In recent years, they have developed the broadcast Raising Godly Girls Minute alongside a free e-book series to help parents and girls navigate growing up in a Christless culture.
“We know that there is hope,” said Garibay. “And [AHG] can raise a remnant of influencers that can help not only this country come back to the Lord, but glorify Him. When He comes, we will be ready.”
