UNIT LEVELS

Pathfinder

AGES 5-6

Under tender loving leadership from volunteers and older girls in the Troop, Pathfinders grow in knowledge and truth. Through fun Troop activities, younger girls can foster their natural curiosity and creativity while learning what it means to be an American Heritage Girl. Pathfinders become anchored in Christ through fundamental faith lessons and Troop service events. These girls begin the AHG Program with experiences in life skills, outdoor adventures, leadership, and social interactions. Parents are encouraged to enjoy the AHG Program with their daughters in the Pathfinder Level. Girls at this Program Level can achieve the following:

Necklace beads for attendance and participation
Program and Event Patches
Fanny Crosby Level Award

Tenderheart

AGES 6-9

As Tenderhearts, young girls learn to explore the world around them through the AHG Program boldly. Tender hearts grow in their faith and life skills through Troop activities, service, and leadership opportunities, outdoor adventures, and earned achievements. This Program Level encourages girls to set goals and teaches them about dedication and perseverance. As a Tenderheart, each girl has the opportunity to grow and to discover new passions and interests. Girls at this Program Level can achieve the following:

Faith Awards
Service Stars
Badges in six Frontiers of Skill
Sports Pins
Program and Event Patches
Sacagawea Level Award

Explorer

AGES 9-12

Ready to take on more responsibility, Explorers are eager to grow in all areas of AHG. As Explorers progress through the AHG Program, they will have greater opportunities for service, leadership, and life skill experiences. Explorers love the welcoming and fun environment! Girls at this Program Level can achieve the following:

Faith Awards
Service Stars
Badges in six Frontiers of Skill
Sports Pins
Program and Event Patches
Ida Scudder Level Award

Pioneer

AGES 12-14

Pioneers are given the opportunity to find out who they truly are in Christ. Girls are encouraged to explore their interests and abilities in a safe environment. The Pioneer Level is where a girl’s Christian leadership skills accelerate through advanced opportunities in the Troop and community. Girls at this Program Level can achieve the following:

Faith Awards
Service Stars
Badges in six Frontiers of Skill
Sports Pins
Program and Event Patches
Harriet Tubman Level Award

Patriot

AGES 14-18

Teenage girls learn life skills vital to adulthood through Troop activities and Girl Leadership opportunities. Unit Leaders serve as facilitators as Patriots take on more ownership of their Unit, allowing girls to make decisions regularly. Girl friendships deepen through outdoor experiences and high adventure opportunities. Patriots develop rich spiritual maturity and practice their faith through servant leadership. Girls at this Program Level can achieve the following:

Faith Awards
Service Stars
Badges in six Frontiers of Skill
Sports Pins
Program and Event Patches
Abigail Adams Level Award
Stars & Stripes Award, AHG’s Highest Honor

Program Emphases

The AHG Program is built around six Program Emphases to achieve the mission of building women of integrity. These six key components create a Christ-centered, progressive, and balanced structure, providing girls with a holistic experience. AHG’s goal for a girl who completes the AHG Program is that she has learned to be a Christ-following servant leader who is honoring, relational, anchored in Christ, and competent: a woman of integrity.

Faith

Girls are encouraged to grow in their faith and relationship with God through the AHG Faith Award Program, prayer, fellowship, and service, which are woven throughout each aspect of the AHG Program.

Outcome: A Christ-follower who submits to Christ and seeks God’s will for her life.

Leadership

The AHG Program is rich in leadership opportunities for girls of all ages. Girls discover their passions, acquire project management skills, hold leadership positions, and participate in leadership training.

Outcome: A servant leader who follows Jesus’ model of leadership by putting others first.

Social & Emotional

Girls will gain a better understanding of their identity in Christ through the AHG Program. AHG’s multi-level Troop structure encourages girls to create friendships with girls of all ages. This unique Troop structure allows for mentorships and learning opportunities to occur naturally among girls. Girls learn to anchor their emotions in Christ in a caring and loving environment.

Outcome: A relational girl who invests in positive and loving relationships with others and clings to Christ when navigating emotions.

Outdoors

Nature reveals to us God’s beauty, glory, power, wisdom, presence, creativity, and, most of all, his loving care. Through the AHG Program, girls are encouraged to participate in outdoor activities such as hiking or camping several times a year. High Adventure activities are great times for team building, leadership, physical activity, and strengthening relationships with friends. The outdoors will educate girls about their natural world and the beauty God has bestowed upon them.

Outcome: A girl who values creation through outdoor experiences that display the glory of God’s creation.

Citizenship

The AHG Program provides girls with a deeper understanding of their country and heritage. Girls cultivate honor for their country by participating in patriotic events, flag ceremonies, serving in their community, and through badge work. Serving others and being active citizens with their Troop, fosters a lifelong love for their country.

Outcome: An honoring girl who cares for her community as an active citizen through service and patriotism.

Life Skills

In the AHG Program, girls can step out of their comfort zone and try new experiences in a safe environment. Earning badges provides girls the opportunity to learn a wide array of life skills, inspiring them to become lifelong learners and doers. AHG’s six Badge Frontiers include: Heritage, Family Living, Arts, Outdoor Skills, Personal Well-Being, and Science Technology.

Outcome: A competent girl who enjoys mastering new skills and applies them to her life.

Statement of Faith

“We believe that there is one Triune God–Father; Jesus Christ, His one and only Son; and the Holy Spirit–Creator of the universe and eternally existent. We believe the Holy Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We believe each person is created in His image for the purpose of communing with and worshipping God. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Who enables us to live godly lives. We believe that each individual is called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength; and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We believe God calls us to lives of purity, service, stewardship, and integrity.”

Clarity is further provided to the following terms:

Purity–God calls us to lives of holiness, being pure of heart, mind, word, and deed. We are to reserve sexual activity to the sanctity of marriage; a lifelong commitment before God between a man and a woman.
Service–God calls us to become responsible members of our community and the world through selfless acts that contribute to the welfare of others.
Stewardship–God calls us to use our God-given time, talents, and money wisely.
Integrity–God calls us to live moral lives that demonstrate an inward motivation to do what is right, regardless of the cost.

Inclusion Policy

All biological girls of any color, creed, race, national origin and socioeconomic status who agree to live according to the standards of the AHG Oath and the AHG Creed are invited to be a member of American Heritage Girls.

Please check out these links!

Endorsement of AHG by Diocese of Birmingham

AHG National Catholic Committee

Taken From AmericanHeritageGirls.org