American Heritage Girls: The Christian Alternative to Girl Scouts

Published:
March 22, 2015

Sarah Shelton

Contributor:
Sarah Shelton

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Have you been looking for a Faith Based Scouting Organization for your daughters?

American Heritage Girls
Our family loves the outdoors,  camping and life skills. My husband grew up  in Scouts and went on to get his Eagle Scout. We just knew that we wanted our children involved in scouting. When my first daughter was only 4 years old I started hearing some things about the Girl Scouts that made me feel very uneasy. For one, I had no idea that they were affiliated with Planned Parenthood. Being Pro Life I couldn’t even consider this as a choice for my daughter. There were other things I started hearing, like GSA teaching girls about their own sexuality, masterbation etc… and things that just should NOT be taught in a scouting group or in badge work! 

If you would like more information as well as links to videos, articles, news stories and websites that explain about Girl Scouts and their affiliation with Planned Parenthood check out:
 Girl Scouts, Why Not? for tons of information!

Here is another article about the Girls Scouts attending a Pro Abortion Conference with late term abortion doctors as key note speakers! Girl Scouts joining Planned Parenthood at Huge Pro-Abortion Conference

I am not saying that all Girl Scout troops are now radical and left leaning. I know of a few small troops based out of churches, that are sweet and full of Christians. I also know that there are many moms that grew up in Girl Scouts and have great memories and want that for their children. I was just not personally comfortable with them after knowing that their core leadership works alongside Planned Parenthood and accepts donations from them, as well as knowing that when the girls get older topics could be presented to them that I didn’t want anyone else talking to them about but me!

Since Girl Scouts was no longer an option for us, I began my search for a Christian alternative. That’s when I found American Heritage Girls

American Heritage Girls is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. The organization offers badge programs, service projects, girl leadership opportunities, and outdoor experiences to its members like other scouting organizations.

American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio by a group of parents wanting a wholesome, faith based program for their daughters. They started their first year of programming in the fall of 1995 with about 10 Troops and roughly 100 members. Troops are popping up at local churches everywhere now! 

Our family was lucky to join one of the first troops in Jacksonville 4 years ago! Since then, there are about 8 troops in Jacksonville! It’s very exciting to see. We love the campouts and outdoor activities, and all the great life skills our girls are learning! There are numerous community service projects throughout the year that have been great to get involved in. The girls really learn to “serve in their community” when we collect bags for the homeless, bring cards to residents of nursing homes, make blankets for hospitals, send care packages to the military, and so much more. It is very refreshing to be a part of a Faith based organization that is not ashamed of God, that prays during each meeting, shares prayer requests in group time, and encourages and lifts each other up every week.

One of the favorite activities of the girls in AHG is working hard to earn their badges. Each troop participates together to earn a few badges a year, but there are many more that you can earn on your own at home.

As a homeschooling family we are able to earn so many badges just from our homeschool field trips to theater and puppet shows, art museums and symphony school field trips! Many co-ops have art and music classes that fulfill many badge requirements as well. This year just by using Apologia’s Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day, my girls were able to earn the Insect-a-Inspecta, Zoology, and Birds of a Feather Badges!

Another great Unit Study Curriculum you can earn badges by using  is Homeschool Legacy. The Once-a-Week Unit Studies are written for ALL homeschool families to enjoy. But they are truly revolutionary in that American Heritage Girls, Trail Life USA and Boy Scouts receive the added benefit of earning merit badge requirements, while completing the unit study assignments with their non-scout siblings. Their unique unit studies are specifically designed for earning badges!

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Click Here to find a Troop near you or for information to start your own!

Homeschooling and American Heritage Girls tie in so beautifully together. We are also blessed to have many of our homeschooling friends in our local troops as well! 

Do your daughters participate in an American Heritage Girls Troop?

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