An organization new to Tracy hopes to build girls’ character and leadership skills with a faith-based foundation.

American Heritage Girls Troop CA 5160 began in March with nine girls and has grown to include 40 members. The troop is a sister unit to Patterson’s Troop CA 1012.

Troop coordinator Albert Cordero, one of the local group’s founding board members, described the program as a “Christ-centric” family organization that is chartered through the Knights of Columbus and based on a Boy Scout troop model.

“We are trying to get the word out we are here and growing,” Cordero said. “We hope to do many things and participate in Memorial Day ceremonies and the parades.”

An informational meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20, will be a chance for families to visit and learn about the troop.

Each American Heritage Girls troop has five levels for girls ages 5 to 18 years old.

Pathfinders are kindergartners, ages 5 and 6; Tenderhearts are girls 6 to 9 in first to third grades; Explorers are fourth- to sixth-graders, ages 9 to 12; Pioneers are 12- to 14-year-olds in seventh and eighth grades; and Patriots, the highest level of American Heritage Girls, are 14- to 18-year-olds who are in high school.

The Tracy troop meets twice a month in the large meeting room at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 163 W. Eaton Ave.

“All of our troops, all of our members meet together and then break into smaller groups,” Cordero said.

Cordero said girls earn patches for their activities in the troop and can work toward gaining the Stars and Stripes when they reach the Patriot level. He described the award as equivalent to Boy Scouting’s Eagle Scout award.

For information: Albert Cordero,

814-0499; or www.ahgonline.org.