A Note from the Founder – The Season of Everyday Learning
Kerry Cordy
December is always a whirlwind—closing out the year, visiting loved ones, watching the weather, and doing our best to finish strong. But it’s also a good reminder of why this program exists in the first place: to help kids build real-world skills through curiosity and hands-on learning.
That’s why this month’s badges focus on skills we actually use—like staying safe in cold weather, planning holiday travel, or understanding how people have kept time long before smartphones. Real learning doesn’t take a break for the holidays. It happens everyday, in everything we do.
New Badges Added
Winter Survival – Learn how to stay safe and prepared in cold-weather conditions. Explore survival strategies for snowstorms, icy roads, and unexpected outdoor situations.
Travel Safety – Build real-world skills for safe and confident travel. Practice packing, planning, and being aware of your surroundings—whether you’re traveling by car, plane, or foot.
Timekeeping Through the Ages – Discover how humans have measured time throughout history—from sundials to atomic clocks—and why it matters in science, society, and everyday life.
Annual Badge Sale!! – All badges 10% off during the entire month of January!
Mark your calendars! Every year we put all badges on sale 10% for the entire month of January. This is a great time to purchase all the badges you have earned the last few months or to stock up if you know what you plan to learn about this spring. Just keep in mind that badges are made on demand and are non-refundable so make sure to earn what you buy! A lot of people wait until the last few days of the sale to place orders and we get slammed. So please be patient if there are slightly longer than usual turn around times.
Free Travel Safety Unit Study
Planning a trip or just learning about how to stay safe on the go? Our brand-new Travel Safety Unit Study is now available—completely free! Designed for all ages, this hands-on resource explores everything from packing smart to understanding safety rules for cars, buses, planes, trains, and ships. Whether you’re heading on vacation or simply want to teach your kids how to stay safe in new environments, this unit study is packed with interactive activities, printable games, and practical tips to help your family learn essential travel skills. Download it today and start exploring!
Gratitude Game:
This is a fun game to play with your kids around their birthdays and Christmas, but it can be played anytime you want to re-enforce polite behavior and gratitude. Get gift bags and go around the house to find random things to put in them. The more random, the better. Then exchange the bags like you would a gift exchange. Everyone has to find at least one or two things about the “gift” that they like. It can get funny, but it can also show that we need to be thankful for everything and it helps get them in the habit of saying ” Thank you for the ______, I really like it because ______.” So if someone gets an empty toilet paper roll, they might say “Thank you for this awesome toilet paper roll, I really like it because I can make it into a telescope and I love to explore.” The crazier the better. Its helps them to see the good in everything you get, even if you have to reach deep to figure it out. Great game for working on your Thankfulness Badge.
Award Ceremony Planning Tips
Whether your group hosts a formal ceremony or keeps things simple, celebrating your members’ hard work is an important part of the Curiosity Untamed journey. With many clubs and families holding awards events in late winter or spring, December is the perfect time to start planning—especially if you’ll need to order vests, pins, or higher awards.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Decide What Fits Your Group
Award ceremonies can be as simple as handing out badges around the kitchen table, or as elaborate as a community event with guests and refreshments. Some troops put on skits or slide shows, while others incorporate service projects or potlucks. Choose what works for your size, schedule, and style.
2. Check Uniforms and Supplies
Take stock now of what you’ll need so you can beat the spring rush. Do your members have enough space on their vests? Are any pins missing? Need a new vest or level tab and ribbons?
3. Track Progress Toward Major Awards
Now’s also the time to review progress toward our higher awards, such as:
- Leadership Award
- Servant’s Heart Award
- Make a Difference Award
- Life Skills Achievement Award
- Discovery Award
Unsure of how to create a ceremony for your group? There are a variety of ceremonies located in our blog, but a great place to start is to read through the article on planning a Basic Badge & Award Ceremony.
Holiday Ideas: Hands-On Learning That Brings People Together
Looking for ways to keep kids engaged during the holidays while still making meaningful memories? Here are a few simple, flexible ideas that tie directly into Curiosity Untamed badges—and work just as well for families, troops, or clubs.
1. Host a Holiday Recipe Showcase
Invite kids to choose a favorite family dish and present it like a cooking show. They can film a short video or create a recipe card with illustrations and a story behind the food. Great for the Meal Traditions, Public Speaking, or Cooking badges.
2. Make “Gifts That Give”
Use badge time to create handmade gifts for seniors, neighbors, or community helpers—think bookmarks, ornaments, tea sachets, or simple baked goods. Wrap and deliver them with a handwritten card. Tie-ins include Charity, Gift Giving, or Crafts.
3. Try Winter-Themed Science Experiments
Explore freezing points, insulation, or crystal formation through fun kitchen experiments. Make frost in a can, salt snowflakes, or ice lanterns. Great for Water, Winter Survival, Fun with Science, or Chemistry.
4. Create a Time Capsule for the Year
Reflect on 2025 by collecting drawings, journal entries, small mementos, or a list of badges earned. Seal them in a container to open next December. This can support the Time Capsule Badge, Writing, or Family badges.
5. Combine Badges with Traditions
Use seasonal activities to fulfill badge work:
- Decorate cookies (Baking or Food Safety)
- Practice table manners (Etiquette)
- Track snowfall (Weather or Winter)
- Sing carols (Music, Singing or Performance)
The holidays offer built-in opportunities for meaningful learning. Just slow down, get creative, and look for ways to connect what you’re already doing with a badge.
Holiday Shipping Reminder
USPS delays are common in December, please plan ahead:
Place orders at least 3 weeks before you need them! (The earlier the better!) If you need your order by a specific date, please make a note on the order and send an email to kerry@curiosityuntamed.com with a specific date request. We cannot guarantee we can get it to you on time, but we will always try. Keep in mind we do NOT do overnight or rush shipments.
