AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS
PROGRAM HELPS!
On this page you will currently find general information about our program as a whole. Future planning
includes adding links to supplemental materials and ideas to help you plan and earn the badges in their Handbook
on all age levels whether you are a mom working at home or a leader/assistant working with a group.
BADGE OF THE MONTH from the national organization website!
Visit Girls Space on the national site for fun stories, fabulous ideas and cool links!
American Heritage Girls' Oath:
I promise to love God,
Cherish my family,
Honor my country,
And serve in my community.
American Heritage Girls' Creed:
As an American Heritage Girl I promise to be:
Compassionate
Helpful
Honest
Loyal
Perseverant
Pure
Resourceful
Respectful
Responsible
Reverent
- Computer Fun Badge Help: Inside the computer Computer terminology with drawing examples Littlest Pet Shop online coloring page (not a printable, you color on the computer) Online Coloring Game
- There are 5 program levels in the American Heritage Girls "troop": Pathfinders are ages 5 or 6 and in Kindergarten; Tenderfoots are ages 6, 7, 8 or 9 and in 1st-3rd grades; Explorers are ages 9, 10, 11 or 12 and in 7th or 8th grades; Patriots are ages 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18 and are in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades. Each group of girls and their leaders are called a "unit". CLICK HERE for some great information about the 5 levels from the national website!
- Generally speaking the levels can also be divided by similar grade as well. For example during the 2008-2009 school year most of my girls were 2nd graders and we were the "Tenderfoot II" unit. The third graders were "Tenderfoot III" and the first graders were "Tenderfoot I" of course. At camp and other troop activities all Tenderfoot age level girls work together and conveniently when other Tenderfoot leaders planned activities and field trips for the whole troop, my girls were included and were able to earn the badge right along with the other unit!
- The badge book is set up intelligently as well. For example this same year when I planned the Native American Badge for my 2nd grade Tenderfoot girls I organized a troop field trip to a recreated Indian village with crafts, games and a museum. Since some of the activities we'll be doing at the village meet requirements on all age levels of the Native American badge (grades K-12), the leaders who did not necessarily plan to work on that badge in class will still be able to benefit from my planning and help their girls earn part or all of the badge. In fact the Tenderfoot I group will be joining my first 2 meetings to earn the badge as well and all their leader needs to do is show up and help me execute the plan! Genious! :) Last year a leader scheduled a state naturalist to visit the troop and at a second meeting we went on a nature hike so for 2 whole meetings I didn't have to plan a thing and with a teeny bit of planning I was able to finish up 2 badges (Nature and Hiking) that were started without my effort. FABULOUS!
- My favorite parts of meeting together as age groups from K-12? Well of course for my moms who have more than 1 girl in the program they are only driving once for all their girls to be involved. That is such a help. There are tons of leaders around all over the place! If we have a problem in my group I am not alone at a meeting location with 1 other leader!!!! Last year there was a time or two when I forgot things I needed for science experiments or cake decorating or whatever and I was able to send one of my helpers to the store and still not be alone with my girls. Or the time I had to leave early, I didn't need to cancel my meeting, when I needed to leave I left 2 other helpers in charge and the girls were able to maintain their normal schedule. I love coming together for flag ceremony, prayer and a song every meeting. It's like that all group camp experience but we still get to be working on age appropriate goals in small group settings with friends who can grow very close-knit. I love how the older girls get to be with the younger girls on a regular basis. When they have the opportunity to plan activities and demonstrate leadership skills there is an already established relationship of trust to build upon. Leadership naturally becomes something the younger girls really grow to look forward to. And the younger girls benefit from the examples set for them by the older girls. In a school building where multiple grade levels combine it is so handy to know you have friends in every grade! Talk about positive peer pressure of the best kind...
- If you are considering leadership or assisting in some capacity the large group setting is quite ideal. Besides benefitting from other's planning efforts and providing my girls positive social networks in school on all grade levels I love working with all the like-minded women I'm around. Leading is like joining a mom's club with women who already have the "big things" in common with me. We all have a relationship with Jesus Christ (church going or not! See AHG Statement of Faith, we are all sorta goal oriented and it's fabulous that when life throws curve balls there are plenty of people in place to help lend a hand. For example one of our leaders (a grandma in our troop!) had to step down and that's not a problem because her daughter is wanting to help and her unit is made up of girls on the Tenderfoot level and I've invited them to join my unit meetings until they get their ducks in a row. Imagine needing a month off for family reasons and you know your girls won't miss a beat and they'll keep their routine. It's barely disruptive to the girls at all! And I know that even though I've committed to leadership, I'm not the only person in charge and if things come up the show still goes on without me!
Webmaster: Michelle Carver 513-734-4711
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