American Heritage Girls is designed to celebrate girlhood in every way. Unlike other extracurricular activities that exist to push a child into mastery, the Program Levels do not serve to rush a girl through learning and experiencing all that AHG has to offer. Rather, the five Program Levels of AHG exist to guide a girl towards pursuing Christian leadership opportunities and becoming a woman of integrity in her own way by exploring life skills, faith, and service.
AHG’s family-friendly, multi-level structure means that girls ages 5 to 18 meet together as a single Troop at the same time. During Troop meetings, girls and leaders break into Units where programming is tailored to the different age groups and abilities. This structure allows for natural mentorship for younger girls and leadership opportunities for older girls.
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:
As Tenderhearts, young girls learn to explore the world around them through the AHG Program boldly. Tenderhearts 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:
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:
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:
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:
American Heritage Girls provides Christian leadership programming tailored to the age and ability of each child. Our progressive program consists of six key components known as the AHG Program Emphases. A girl who completes the AHG Program will be a Christ-following servant leader who is honoring, relational, anchored in Christ, and competent: a woman of integrity.
The Christ-centered, all-female environment of an American Heritage Girls Troop provides a place for girls to discover their gifts and to learn who they are and whose they are in Christ–all while learning new things, developing leadership skills and experiencing outdoor adventure.
