Founder's Message

The beauty of a crackling fire attracts me like a magnet. Burnt embers transform into hovels for hobbits, featuring a glowing illumination of a brilliant red. Just minutes prior, these were lifeless logs from a tree sprouting decades before. But for this girl, they are magical and inviting.

The circle of life, the miracle of spring, the hope for renewal—they serve as refreshment for my soul.

Nature was not always a mesmerizing cacophony of miracles to me. My past included a life full of the urgent, full of a fear of the unknown, and full of a need to be perfect. Nature has served as a type of therapy for me over the years. I did not discover nature’s ability to soothe my soul and refresh my mind until I began my scouting journey while leading my daughters and their friends. Not until my late twenties did I savor the beauty of a soft earth filled with waves of yellow buttercups and lavender violets. It was not until then that I learned to bake in a box, cook in a can, or make ice cream in a Ziploc bag. It took intentionally desiring more peace and freedom for my children to bring me to the woods.

Now, I live in the woods. Surrounded by hardwoods and the evasive honeysuckle, I find my home. Wildflowers paint trodden paths while birds’ songs fill the air. I feel more alive as I breathe in the fragrant smells of lilac and listen to the call of the mourning dove. My soul is at peace in the nature the Lord himself created for our enjoyment. I feel loved and chosen.

I thank you for investing in today’s young women. I thank you for bringing them into nature, where they can revel in its beauty and find peace in today’s turbulent world. Never underestimate the power of a campout, a nature scavenger hunt, or a “creeking” expedition in ankle-high water. It may be the very event that allows your girls and yourselves to see the beautiful face of God through His masterpiece.

I hope you enjoy the Spring 2021 Issue of American Heritage Girls’ Heritage Headlines.

With joy and peace,

Patti GaribayAHG Founder & Executive Director