A Safe Place for Girls to Grow Up as Women

Organizations like the Girl Scouts of America (GSA) used to come alongside parents in reinforcing time-honored values that gave girls and young women a solid moral foundation upon which to build their lives.

But in the 1990s, moral relativism started changing that. The word “God” was removed from the GSA’s oath. The curriculum stopped promoting traditional values. And GSA leadership began adopting a pro-homosexual political agenda.

In the midst of that turmoil, serving the GSA and the girls it represented was Patti Garibay, a local troop leader. Her husband, Pat, encouraged her to take a moral stand and to work toward reform within the GSA. She did that for several years.

Eventually, however, she decided that an alternative to the GSA might be necessary. And so, she brought together a group of like-minded Christian parents and formed American Heritage Girls (AHG), based up the idea that girls and young women thrive when their lives are built on a solid moral foundation rooted in God’s Word.

Today, more than 52,000 girls and adult members participate in American Heritage Girls troops located in all 50 states. The organization serves girls 5 to 18 years of age in 15 countries around the world, building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.

Positive influence from organizations like American Heritage Girls is needed more than ever. Parenting is becoming harder and harder for moms and dads who want to raise their girls to live according to their God-given identities and to feel empowered to be a follower of Christ.

To make you aware of what American Heritage Girls is all about, we’ve invited Patti Garibay to share her amazing story on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “A Safe Place for Girls to Grow Up As Women.”

In 2010, AHG was the first all-girl program to partner with the Boy Scouts of America. That relationship ended when, like the GSA, the Boy Scouts changed their membership standards.

AHG was also influential in helping to form a faith-based alternative for boys known as Trail Life USA (TLUSA), which we discussed on a separate Focus on the Family Broadcast.

Tune in to hear how American Heritage Girls is transforming lives on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.

Patti Garibay is the executive director of American Heritage Girls. Her book, Why Curse the Darkness When You Can Light a Candle?, is available for a gift of any amount. For more information, visit our website or call 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).