American Heritage Girls (AHG) was started in 1995 by a group of parents living in Ohio who wanted to offer a faith-based alternative to Girl Scouting. AHG troop members enjoy all of the same types of programs and activities, including camping, earning badges and completing community service projects.

Locally, two AHG troops have formed: Troop 1031, which meets at Forks of the Brandywine Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Glenmoore, and Troop 1234, which is chartered by St. Norbert Parish in Paoli.

Serena Farace of Downingtown, age 14, who is a member of Troop 1234, explained that the troop is open to girls of all denominations. "American Heritage Girls now has troops in all 50 states," she noted. "There are many different faith denominations within the group, but we all worship one God."

Troops are divided by program level into the following units: Pathfinder, ages 5 and 6; Tender Hearts, ages 6 to 9; Explorers, ages 9 to 12; Pioneers, ages 12 to 14; and Patriots, ages 14 to 18.

"Older girls have the ability to hold leadership positions and to be mentors to the younger girls," said Serena, who is a member of Patriot group. "At the Patriot level, girls can decide to earn the Stars and Stripes Award, which colleges recognize as a big accomplishment." Like the Girl Scout Gold Award, the Stars and Stripes Award requires the planning and completion of a community service project.

Serena's troop has camped at French Creek State Park in Elverson, and it took part in a multi-troop outing at Frances Slocum State Park in Wyoming, which is located in northeastern Pennsylvania. Every April, there is also a multi-troop camping event at Innabah Camp and Retreat Center in Spring City.

"We do a lot of fun activities, many of which I would never have taken part in if I wasn't a part of AHG," Serena shared. "There are certain requirements we have to fulfill in order to earn badges and patches, and those requirements push me to go beyond my comfort zone. For instance, I have never gone camping in my life, but so far, I have gone on two camping trips, both for two nights each. I would never have thought I could do that, but I persevered and learned a lot about myself after the experience."

Serena's mother, Theresa, said that a friend recommended the AHG program when the Faraces were looking for an activity similar to Scouting. "We wanted a Christian-based organization," she said. "It's for all denominations, not just Catholic, and (the troop has) girls in private school, public school and homeschoolers."

She said that the troops fundraise by taking part in a read-a-thon and garnering pledges. "All the money goes to the troop," Theresa said.

For more information about AHG, visit http://www.americanheritagegirls.org. Those interested in either of the two local troops may visit the website, choose "Find a Troop" and then enter Glenmoore or Paoli.