Saturday, May 18, 2024
Entering their tenth year in Granbury, the local American Heritage Girls (AHG) Troop finds themselves at a crossroads. They need a home.
The AHG organization is over thirty years old nationally. AHG describes itself on its website as “a Christ-centered character and leadership development program for girls 5-18 years of age. AHG is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.”
AHG is structured to exist under another 501(c)(3), this can be a church or a private school or any 501(c)(3) with a similar vision.
Locally AHG has had a very amicable relationship with Our Savior Lutheran Church (OSLC) where they existed under their banner for nine years. The troop leadership felt a change might be in order to encourage more growth. AHG leadership spoke to OSLC this past spring, they asked for the blessing of the church to find another 501(c)(3). AHG left with the blessing of the congregation of OSLC after another church was secured.
Late this summer, the new church that agreed to sponsor AHG then said they were not able to do so. This left AHG without a home and without a charter and without enough time to secure a new one.
The members will continue in what the organization calls the “Trailblazer Program” where mothers lead their girls on their own. The group will gather for some activities with the goal being to stay together and find another 501(c)(3) to sponsor them. This will allow them to recharter for the 2024-2025 program year.
AHG differs from other service organizations in structure and purpose. The model of AHG is for the young ladies to grow in Godly leadership by increasing in knowledge at each age level while growing their leadership strengths by leading younger girls.
“AHG gave me an opportunity to lead and helped me to expand my planning skills,” said Hannah Grote, age 19. Grote was a member of AHG for eight years and was a junior leader after graduating from the program.
“AHG gave my daughter a place to grow in her faith and a place for her to learn important life skills not taught in the classroom, as well as develop a love for serving in our community,” said Shirley Grote former troop coordinator and mother of Hannah Grote.
AHG’s family-friendly, multi-level Troop structure is specifically created with the physical, mental, social, spiritual, and emotional needs of today’s girls aged 5 to 18, according to americanheritagegirls.org.
AHG has a robust curriculum and badge program. Outdoor skills are encouraged along with car care, home care, science, art and more. Camping and hiking is central to the AHG experience, the group camps both spring and fall semesters. The older girls get the opportunity to attend invitational camps where pioneering skills, knife throwing, archery, fire building and more are offered.
“For our family, American Heritage Girls has provided an encouraging, Christian environment in which our girls can develop character and confidence, while also learning skills and making friends that will stay with them for a lifetime,” said Sonya Mathews, AHG member and mother of two AHG girls - Kaitlyn and Emily.
Heavily involved in service AHG girls have participated in diaper drives for Brazos Pregnancy Center, many hours volunteering for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Constitution Camp and other DAR events, served yearly for “Wreaths Across America,” assisted Our Savior Lutheran Church with “Respect for Life” crosses event, held dinner for veterans, made blankets for Friends for Animals, hosted food and money drives for Mission Granbury, caroled for and created crafts with seniors and more.
“We love American Heritage Girls because it instills a love for God, country, and family – all three of which are under attack in America. My daughter especially loved learning flag etiquette and participating in the annual wreath ceremony, where she laid wreaths on the graves of veterans to honor them,” said Camille Holcomb, AHG member and mother of Violet, AHG girl.
If you are interested in joining the local ladies of AHG or if you are a member of a 501(c)(3) that would consider hosting the troop, please contact ahggranburytx@gmail.com.
For questions about the national organizations of American Heritage Girls go to americanheritagegirls.org.
