Local Troop Fosters Civic Virtue
EdNews Virginia | March 19, 2026
ARLINGTON, VA — Attendees of EdReform Virginia’s fourth annual school choice event saw the mission of civic virtue in action as two members of American Heritage Girls (AHG) Troop 0681 took the stage to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
While the girls’ role on March 7 was brief, their organization is growing fast in Virginia. AHG is a faith-based program for girls ages 5 to 18, devoted to “building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country.”
A Growing Movement
AHG’s mission resonates with families seeking “high-standard” extracurriculars that align with traditional values. Troop 0681, based in Falls Church, offers a complementary environment to the classical and home-based education models now flourishing in the Commonwealth — or a healthy counterweight to more toxic school environments.
“My own daughter is a member and I have seen first-hand all the good AHG does year-round,” said EdReform Virginia’s Nathan Brinkman. “It was a true honor to have AHG join our March 7 event.”
Beyond the Badges
The AHG program is structured around six “Frontiers” of learning, ranging from “Arts” and “Technology” to “Heritage” and “Family.” However, for Troop 0681, the focus often returns to the pillars of “Citizenship” and “Service.”
Just last month, while earning their “Constitution” badges, 11 older girl members had a 45-minute conversation with Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Year-round, the girls assist with various service projects and civic ceremonies, contributing to the “common good” of their neighborhoods and their nation.
Video: AHG Members Lead the Pledge
Following the invocation, AHG members led March 7 attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance (see below). The girls, dressed in their AHG uniforms, served as a visual reminder of the event’s core agenda: forging a better educational and civic future for all Virginians.
Why It Matters for Educational Freedom
AHG’s role in this year’s school choice event highlights a broader trend: the focus of today’s educational freedom movement is not limited to what occurs inside classroom walls. Increasingly, families desire a more holistic ecosystem — where the school, the home and extracurricular activities work in harmony to reinforce a set of common values.
Learn More
For Virginia families considering youth organizations to join, AHG offers a venue where traditional values are the foundational “compass” for every activity. Additional information can be found at the official AHG website.