The Joining Award

The Joining Award

The first badge every new member works on.

You should earn this badge before you begin working on other achievements.

Here is some information to help you out.

Check your handbooks for the exact requirements

Tenderheart/Explorer handbook p 24

Pioneer/Patriot handbooks p. 31

1. The AHG Oath

I promise to love God, cherish my family, honor my country, and serve in my community.

2. The AHG Creed

As an American Heritage Girl, I promise to be compassionate, helpful, honest, loyal, perseverant, pure, resourceful, respectful, responsible, and reverent.

3. The AHG Sign:

Hold up four fingers on the raised right hand, with thumb folded down. The four fingers represent the four parts of the AHG oath. The sign is used when reciting the Creed and the Oath. The sign is also used as a signal for silence in a group.

4. The AHG Salute

Use the AHG Sign and raise your right hand to just above your right eyebrow.

The Salute is used when saying the Pledge of Allegiance or singing the National Anthem in full uniform or when saluting the flag as it is raised or lowered on a flag pole or passes by in procession.

5. Pledge of Allegiance

6. The AHG Mission Statement:

Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country

7. The AHG uniform: Details are found in the handbooks

   1. 1. 1. 1. Tenderheart/Explorer books pp.14-17

            2. Pioneer/Patriot books

For more information check out this link

• Tenderheart girls: white shirt, red vest, blue bottoms

• Explorers: white shirt, blue vest, khaki bottoms

• Pioneers: white shirt, sash, khaki bottoms

• Patriots: red shirt, sash, khaki bottoms

8. Requirements 1 & 2 of Our Flag Badge See your handbook for exact requirements (p. 75 Th/Ex) ( p._ Pio/Pats)

   1. 1. 1. Requirement 1 of Our Flag Badge

            2. 1. • flag etiquette

                  • flag ceremony

                  • displaying the flag during Troop meetings and during ceremonies

                  • displaying the American Flag along with other flags such as a state flag or AHG flag during Troop meetings/ceremonies See this website for display guidelines

                  • properly carry the flag in a parade, by itself and with other flags.

                  • fold the American Flag (or see this video)

                  • What NOT to do with the American Flag (See this link for details)

         2. History of the American Flag.

There are many websites and books that can help with this requirement. Here are a few links

8. 1. 1. 2. 2. 1. • Grandoldflag brief history of changes in US flag

                  • Americanflags

                  • UShistory A flag timeline with pictures of the many different versions of US flags

9. History of AHG

1. See the AHG timeline on the AHG website.

2. See page 5 in Tenderheart/Explorer Handbook

3. See page 9 in Pioneer/Patriot Handbook

The American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 by Patti Garibay and other parents from West Chester, Ohio to form a Christ-centered program for their daughters. The first troop was OH0895. The members of this first troop helped develop badges, uniforms and program. The first three badges were Outdoor Skills, Native American and Cooking. The Oath was written in 1995 and the Creed in 1997. The first year there were approximately 10 troops with 100 girls. In 2017, AHG's 1000th troop was chartered.

10. History of Troop MA0716 (fill in section on p 5 TH/Ex handbook and p. 9 Pio/Pat handbook)

Troop MA0716 was founded in 2013 by Mrs Soares and a pioneering group of parents who wanted a Christian alternative to scouting for girls. The first year there were 24 girls in the troop which was chartered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church with the encouragement of Msgr Pedone. The troop continued to grow in the following years. Two girls from Troop 0716 have gone on to earn their Stars and Stripes award, the highest award possible in AHG, involving over 100 hours of work on a project benefitting the community. Thank you to all the women who have given so freely of their time, talent and energy, allowing Troop 0716 to thrive!

11. Safety (p. 50-53 TH/Ex handbooks) (p.58-60 Pio/Pat handbooks)

12. Meet with your Unit Leader Speak to your leader about a good time to meet and talk briefly.