Frequently asked questions

American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered character and leadership development program for girls 5 to 18 years of age.  AHG is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.

Trail Life USA is a Church-Based, Christ-Centered, Boy-Focused mentoring and discipleship journey that speaks to the heart of a boy. Established on timeless values derived from the Bible and set in the context of outdoor adventure, boys from Kindergarten through 12th grade are engaged in a Troop setting by male mentors where they are challenged to grow in character, understand their purpose, serve their community, and develop practical leadership skills to carry out the mission for which they were created.

AHG & TL are faith based programs that emphasize faith, leadership, social emotional, outdoors, citizenship, life skills, wisdom, heritage, team work, and character. The programs offer similar activities like camping, crafts, outdoor adventures, etc. but with a different focus. The end goal is to raise up women of integrity who will become Godly wives, mothers, and citizens and men who walk worthy that will become Godly husbands, fathers, and citizens.

Yes, both AHG and TL have uniforms.  There are the formal full set uniforms and the informal t-shirt style uniforms.  They are not required, but recommended.   

Yes, both AHG and TL have handbooks for the different level units/patrols.  They are not required, but recommended.  Most of what we will be doing during regular troop meetings will come out of the handbooks. 

For AHG girl membership fees, it covers...

• Group insurance coverage

• Progressive badge program offering 97 opportunities to earn badges

• Faith awards program

• Level award advancement curriculum

• Stars & Stripes Award curriculum (AHG's pinnacle award)

• Trained adult volunteers

• Access to local, regional, and national events

• Free access to Right Now Media

• Subscription to AHG's quarterly e-magazine, Heritage Headlines

• Badge helps on curated Pinterest boards

For AHG adult membership fees, it covers...

• Background check

• Group insurance coverage

• Youth protection training

• Position-specific training modules

• Access to live regional and national training events

• Online resource library

• Access to AHG's Christian parenting resource platform, Raising Godly Girls

• Free access to Right Now Media

• Free access to Jump, AHG's secure social media platform

• Access to AHG preferred fundraising vendors

• Use of membership database access to AHG store

• Direct support through local hometown mentor or national troop coach

• Subscription to AHG's quarterly e-magazine, Heritage Headlines

• Badge helps on curated Pinterest boards

• Adult recognition program

For TL youth membership fees, it covers...

• Member fee ($30.26 ) provides for operations of the home office

• Annual insurance assessment ($7.71) accounts for market fluctuations in the costs of accident and sickness coverage, general liability, and umbrella coverage

For TL adult membership fees, it covers...

• Member fee ($20.94) provides for operations of the home office

• Annual insurance assessment ($7.71) accounts for market fluctuations in the costs of accident and sickness coverage, general liability, and umbrella coverage

• Annual youth protection assessment ($14.54) adjusts for fluctuations in the costs of criminal background checks, supplemental evaluation processes, and youth protection training

It depends on what group and level your child is in.  You can find the uniforms on the websites below.

AHG - https://store.americanheritagegirls.org/collections/girl-uniform 

TL - https://shop.traillifeusa.com/shop/uniforms/troop-uniform 

(Your child's unit leader or another adult involved with Troop IL0828 can help you figure out what you might need)

It depends on what group and level your child is in.  You can find the materials (handbooks) your child may need on the websites below.

AHG - https://store.americanheritagegirls.org/collections/handbooks 

TL - https://shop.traillifeusa.com/shop/program-materials/wt-materials 

(Your child's unit leader or another adult involved with Troop IL0828 can help you figure out what you might need)

We are allowed to do up to three fundraisers in a program year.  Each child will be asked to participate in the fundraisers the Troop Board approves.  Fundraisers are done for a specific purpose like funding an event or camping trip, to purchase supplies, etc.

Yes, there are troop dues.  It is $45.00 per child for the whole year.  Money for dues need to be paid by the first troop meeting.

We use that money to help with purchasing meeting supplies as well as other troop needs (badges, party supplies, etc.)

Opening Flag Ceremony

AHG & TL are split for unit/patrol activities - working on requirements to earn badges/awards

Closing Flag Ceremony/Announcements

When you enter the building, we will have a leader with the binder with a sign in sheet for that meeting day.  After you sign your child in, you can exit the way you came. When meeting time is almost over, you will do the same thing but sign your child out.  An adult troop member will initial the page where you sign out to confirm pick up.

Yes, as long as they are registered* adults through AHG and/or TL.  We encourage parents/guardians to be unit leaders or helpers.  One of the big things we are trying to accomplish with our troop is to bring families together as our kids learn more about God.

*If you would like to register, please go to the "Contact Us" page to find the instructions how to connect with our troop.

Regular meetings will begin in September and end in May with our award ceremony in the beginning of June.  We will not have regular meetings during the summer, but will try to have at least one social event during summer break.

All girls, ages 5 through 18, whose parents/guardians are seeking a faith based outdoor adventure program that places an emphasis on character development, leadership, and moral purity.

All boys, ages 5 through 18, whose parents/guardians are seeking a faith based outdoor adventure program that places an emphasis on character development, leadership, and moral purity.

Christian men and women selected and approved by the Charter Organization, who sign and abide by the membership standards and the AHG & TL statement of faith and values may become adult leaders.

All leaders must be at least 21 years old (exception is for Trail Life trail guides who must be 18 years old)

All adult leaders can be approved following a criminal background check and successful completion of the KEYS training (AHG) or the Child Safety Youth Protection Training (TL)

Registration for AHG and TL is all online.  A necessary link is sent through text or email to prospective families which connects them to AHGFamily and/or Trail Life Connect.  We have a registration checklist that lists all the important steps and forms that are required.  If you would like to register with our troop, go to the "Contact Us" page to find the instructions of how to connect with us.

Registration for AHG and TL is all online.  A necessary link is sent through text or email to prospective families which connects them to AHGFamily and/or Trail Life Connect.  We have a registration checklist that lists all the important steps and forms that are required.  If you would like to register with our troop, go to the "Contact Us" page to find the instructions of how to connect with us.