American Heritage Girls offers Christ-affirming alternative for young girls
DETROIT — When Debbie DeSantis’ daughter, Jenna, was getting to be old enough to join a girls’ character development and activities group, DeSantis wanted it to include not only hiking, camping and crafts, but also activities directly related to the family’s Catholic faith.
She found such an organization in the American Heritage Girls, and with permission of Fr. J.J. Mech, her pastor at St. Anastasia Parish in Troy, DeSantis founded Troop MI0138, now going on its fifth year.
Not only are American Heritage Girls troops openly Christian, but the organization allows troops to be specifically Catholic or Protestant, DeSantis said. “We are very open, and a girl does not have to be Catholic to join, but we are a Catholic troop and we do Catholic things,” she said.
Nationally, American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio, with the mission of “building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.”
Like all AHG troops, St. Anastasia’s offers five levels, starting at Pathfinder for kindergartners, Tenderheart for grades 1-3, Explorer for grades 4-6, Pioneer for grades 7-8, and Patriot for grades 9-12.
The troop has gone camping at the CYO Camp and Camp Ozanam, operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, but its Catholic character is put into even sharper focus by some of its activities and service projects in the community.
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The girls have visited the Divine Mercy Center in Eastpointe, taken part in 40 Days for Life demonstrations, held book and bake sales to support Mary’s Mantle and Megan Salter (of “Megan’s Miracle” fame), and raised funds to help orphans in India.
AHG troops also develop their own activities patches — similar to merit badges — that girls can earn. The St. Anastasia troop has even developed one for pro-life activities.
Even the troop’s number — MI0138 — was chosen as a reflection of faith; it refers to Luke 1:38, Mary’s song of gratitude in the Bible.
“Faith is a living part of it — we don’t shove it under the rug,” DeSantis said.
“Our girls are little lamps of faith — they’re just incredible,” she continued. “We need to be a light, because there is so much darkness in the world.”
Jenna DeSantis, 10, is now an Explorer-level American Heritage Girl, and she said she would recommend other girls join the organization.
“It is a great experience and we have so much fun,” she said.
“I love American Heritage Girls (AHG) because there are a lot of fun activities. I have met many nice friends, and the leaders have always been very kind. Also, we do awesome service activities which are fun and helpful to others,” she said.
Jenna said some of her favorite troop events include the daddy-daughter dance at St. Anastasia, the mother-daughter tea event in the spring, and the visit to Blessed Sacrament Cathedral for the presentation of religious awards. She said she enjoyed the outdoor activities, as well.
The troop at St. Anastasia is one of three Catholic AHG troops in the Metro area, the others being at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Parish in Berkley and at Spiritus Sanctus Academy in Plymouth.
But Debbie DeSantis said she expects more troops will be formed by Catholic parishes or schools in the area, partly because Troop MI0138 is nearing the maximum 65-girl membership.
“There has been such a large growth,” she said.
