AHG: Faith, Service, and Fun! (Shaila)

~AHG- Faith, Service, and Fun~

[1] American Heritage Girls is all about Faith, Service, and Fun! [4] Learning new skills in the process, we excitedly earn badges, which represent what we study and accomplish. [2] In American Heritage Girls, we earn badges on our own and with our troop! [5] At the beginning of every meeting, which we have every other Monday, we start with the most important parts of our evening. [6] We have our flag ceremony. [6] We have a devotion. [6] We have prayer. [3] Excitedly, we head to our classroom, because we know that we will be learning some new skill, spending time with friends during events, and serving others in the process! 

[1] One of the many fun activities that troop members do in American Heritage Girls is earning badges. [5] After they are earned, badges are displayed on a vest. [1] There are eight frontiers which range from Art to Technology! [1] One of the first badges that I earned was the Daughter of the King badge. [4] Revisiting this theme each week, we learned that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. [1] Other badges I have earned include Toys and Games, Outdoor Skills, Our Heritage, Pen and Paper, and Cake Decorating. [2] In Toys and Games we investigated the many different toys and games that have been played by children around the world throughout history. [2]  In Outdoor Skills we learned about fire safety, first aid and compasses. [1] Cake Decorating was a fun badge because my spectacular sister, Siobhan, taught it! [1] I also got to decorate and eat my own cake! [3] Currently, we are doing the Pen and Paper badge. [1] First, I listened to a presentation on papyrus, which was taught by my mom. [1] We have learned a lot of different techniques for creating art with paper! [2] For example, we learned how to make origami cranes, quilled cards, and terrific tissue paper flower bouquets. [4] 

Making the flowers was satisfying because we knew that they would be donated to Meals on Wheels. [6] We made carnations.  We made roses.  We made daisies. [5] When I pull out my vest, I instantly remember all of the memories I’ve made with my American Heritage Girls troop. 

[1] Another important aspect of  American Heritage Girls is special events. [1] We have done so many spectacular hiking trips, theme parties, camping, High Adventure Camp, and horsemanship! [2] Without a doubt, it has been so much fun to do all of these activities with my amazing troop!  [3] Recently, we went hiking on a trail in Elkmont, which was fun! [2] Since there was a waterfall and pool, we were able to wade in the water which was like a glacier. [1] We also have had themed parties and have exchanged SWAPS.  [5] Since we had never heard of SWAPS, we quickly looked online and learned that they are “Some Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere.”  [6] We’ve made camper SWAPS.  We’ve made snake SWAPS.  We’ve made Valentine SWAPS.   [4] Practicing our outdoor skills, we also did a High Adventure Camp. [1] That’s a suitable name for this outing because it pretty much sums it up. [3] Nervously we participated in a lot of High Adventure activities, which included swinging from a swing which was pulled up about as high as a tall tree, going on a super high terrifying zipline, and paddle boarding and canoeing on a lake! [1]  Another incredibly fun event was a horse riding clinic for our horsemanship badge! [5] While we learned the different body parts and proper care and grooming of a horse, we also learned how to mount and ride horses.  [1] In the American Heritage Girls troop, I have had so much fun doing the special events that my troop leaders plan. 

[3] Lastly, we as American Heritage Girls participate in service projects to bless our community! The first service project that we did was in Athens. [1] The moms and troop leaders hauled a lot of rocks because we were intending to paint them.  [5] After we painted the rocks, we decorated them with encouraging notes and Bible verses. [6] We made a rock river. [2] During the Easter season, we put candy in Easter eggs. We also made dog toys for a dog shelter, which we accomplished with old t-shirts. [3] Enthusiastically, we assembled baskets for expectant mothers, and we decorated pumpkins for the elderly. [2] During another troop meeting, we colored Meals on Wheels place mats. [4] Participating in a fundraising event with Rita’s, we held up signs telling people about the Gospel. [1] It has been so much fun doing incredibly creative service projects with my American Heritage Girls Troop! 

[2] In conclusion, American Heritage Girls is a fantastic program, which encourages girls to continually grow in their relationship with God! [4] Participating in different service projects, girls learn the many different ways we can serve and bless others. [5] When we get together as a troop, we sing some of the silliest songs I have ever sung! [3] Personally, I like the Button Factory! [6] It is hilarious! [1] I can’t wait to return to American Heritage Girls in the fall, when I will level up to be a Pioneer!

By: Shaila (age 11)