Story by Mary Kroner
LINCOLN (SNR) - At the Priest Study Day in Seward Sept. 20, priests of the Diocese of Lincoln learned about the American Heritage Girls organization and its significance for the diocese.
American Heritage Girls (AHG) serves families of girls ages 5-18 through its mission of “building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.” The organization’s motto is “Faith. Service. Fun.”
AHG provides girls with the opportunity to participate in badge programs, service projects, leadership opportunities, and outdoor experiences, all with an emphasis on Christ.
Nationally, the American Heritage Girls ministry has nearly 1,000 troops. The Catholic Church is the fastest-growing denomination in AHG, with nearly 25% of AHG troops chartered by Catholic parishes.
The Lincoln troop that meets at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln – welcoming girls from all around the area – was established in 2017. There are currently about 30 girls in the troop.
In 2012, the American Heritage Girls formed a National Catholic Committee (NCC) to support American Heritage Girls in “promoting and providing for the growth and spiritual development of its Catholic members, in fidelity to the magisterium of the Catholic Church, and to act as the liaison between AHG, Inc. and the Catholic Church.”
In 2015, The American Heritage Girls National Catholic Committee elected its first Episcopal Moderator, Bishop James Conley from the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln. His Excellency provides spiritual guidance while presiding over and representing the AHG NCC.
Bishop Conley gave an endorsement of the organization, saying, “It has been an honor to serve as an Episcopal Moderator for the AHG National Catholic Committee. AHG is more important than ever in helping to form young girls and families in faith, virtue and holiness.”
Father Denton Morris has served as the Director of Scouting for the Diocese of Lincoln for four years and shared information on AHG, along with Bishop Conley, at the Priest Study Day.
He wanted to “encourage American Heritage Girls as an opportunity for priests’ lay faithful interested in Catholic scouting for their girls as an alternative to other scouting options which are more secular,” Father Morris said.
The local troop coordinator is Robyn Maly, who has served in that position since 2020.
“American Heritage Girls is an amazing character development program,” she said. “We are Christ-centered. We try to really show these young women that God is not just in church on Sunday, but He’s in all that we have and all that we do. We focus on service to others – country, community, and family – because Jesus taught us to serve.”
Another characteristic of AHG that sets it apart from secular organizations is that it is exclusively for girls.
Maly asserted, “We take pride in teaching our girls that women are special! We can grow and support each other and take immense pride in the gifts God gave us as women. It’s certainly not teaching anyone to be better than anyone else; it’s teaching girls to know who they are and to Whom they belong. We provide a safe and fun place for them to learn how to become women of integrity.”
Father Morris also reflected on the importance of AHG in the world today.
“Secular tides are trending on the rise,” he said. “Those that would want a more secure scouting venture for girls geared toward the faith could find a sure place in AHG.”
Looking forward, AHG will doubtless have a positive and powerful impact on the diocesan community.
Maly said AHG “helps in building the citizens we want running our community in the future. Our girls will go on in their chosen vocations someday as mothers, professionals, religious, or military personnel and they will be better off for having learned the values and lessons presented in AHG.”
For more information about joining AHG, contact Robyn Maly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 402-770-5514. For those who live too far away to participate in-person with the Lincoln troop, AHG has a “Trailblazer” option for girls who follow the AHG program at home and wish to connect with a troop by phone or email.
