A Note from the Founder – Celebrating Our First Alumni Engagement!
I am absolutely thrilled to share a special milestone in the history of Curiosity Untamed. We have our very first alumni engagement!
Arthur Duke, an alumni member of Frontier Boys Quest Club #109, and Beth Henderson, an auxiliary member of Frontier Girls Troop #109 (living in the UK), are officially engaged and busy making wedding plans. Watching two members who grew up in our program—living in different countries no less—build a future together is incredibly meaningful.
Both Arthur and Beth earned the Eagle Level Gem Award (Diamond), Wow!, and 9 Majors during their years with the Troop. Beth also received the prestigious Abby Olsen Award—a testament to her dedication and service.
Arthur took the skills and connections he developed through his Health & Safety Major and put them into action. He’s now a State Certified Firefighter in Texas and serves on three local Volunteer Fire Departments. It’s a powerful reminder of how the work we do in these clubs truly prepares our kids for real-world impact.
Once all immigration paperwork is finalized, Arthur and Beth plan to make their home in Texas.
Please join me in celebrating this incredible couple. Their story is a beautiful example of how deep friendships, lasting values, and meaningful accomplishments can grow out of a shared foundation in service, learning, and community.
New Badges Added
Love Languages – Learn how people give and receive love through words, actions, time, gifts, and touch. Strengthen communication, empathy, and relationships across all ages.
Houseplants – Explore the care, science, and joy of growing plants indoors. From succulents to spider plants, this badge brings a little green into your winter.
Cardboard – Discover the creative possibilities of one of the world’s most overlooked materials. Build, engineer, design, and problem-solve with nothing but cardboard and imagination.
THREE New Awards!!
Curiosity Untamed has earned THREE new awards. We have been named one of the 2026 Best Homeschool Curriculum & Resources Award winners by How To Homeschool, The Best of the Best for 2026 by HomeschoolAwards.com and a winner of the Parents Picks Awards (Educational Category) for 2026. We we couldn’t be more thankful.
This recognition means so much to us because it reflects what families see and experience every day—hands-on learning, flexibility, and the freedom to follow curiosity wherever it leads. What began as a simple idea has grown into a vibrant community of homeschoolers, families, clubs, and lifelong learners who believe education should be meaningful, engaging, and adaptable to every learner.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us, shared your stories, earned badges, and trusted Curiosity Untamed as part of your learning journey. This award belongs to all of you.
Here’s to continuing to ask questions, try new things, and keep curiosity untamed.
Free Cardboard Unit Study: Build, Create, Explore
Cardboard is one of the most overlooked learning materials—and one of the most versatile. From engineering projects to imaginative play, the possibilities are endless. To celebrate the launch of our new Cardboard badge, we’ve put together a free unit study packed with hands-on activities that turn everyday boxes into educational gold.
Perfect for homeschoolers, co-ops, or club meetings, this unit study helps kids of all ages explore how cardboard is made, its many uses, and how to build with it creatively and effectively. You’ll find:
- Age-appropriate badge requirements from Preschool through Level 5
- Hands-on activities like designing a cardboard animal, mask, or vehicle
- Science-based lessons on corrugation, strength, and material design
- A history timeline of cardboard and its evolution
- Creative projects including a puppet stage and recycled art challenges
Whether you’re stacking, cutting, bending, or gluing, cardboard invites problem-solving, experimentation, and a whole lot of fun. Best of all—it’s free, and you probably already have the supplies you need at home.
Ready to transform that pile of shipping boxes into something amazing? Let your kids dive in, follow their curiosity, and turn scrap into something spectacular.
Celebrating Our Leaders – February 20
Leader Appreciation Day
February 20 each year is officially set aside to recognize the leaders who keep Frontier Girls troops and Quest Clubs running—and it’s a great excuse to say THANK YOU.
Here are a few simple ideas to help kids and parents show their appreciation:
- Write a note or poem expressing gratitude
- Put together a handmade gift or SWAP
- Record a short video message from your group
- Give a branded gift or apparel item from the store.
If you’re a leader reading this—whether you run a full troop or homeschool your own kids—please know that you are seen, valued, and appreciated. This program doesn’t work without people like you leading the way!
Higher Award Spotlight: Life Skills Achievement Award
The Life Skills Achievement Award celebrates well-rounded growth across key areas: health, finances, community, character, and practical knowledge. Candidates must earn at least one badge from each designated Area of Discovery and complete a project that demonstrates mastery of a life skill.
January is a great time to assess progress toward this award.
- Check which areas have badges completed.
- Choose 1–2 new life skills to focus on in the next quarter.
- Encourage teens to reflect on which skills will serve them in adulthood.
Build a Cardboard Marble Maze
This activity is simple, inexpensive, and surprisingly addicting—and it meets several starred requirements in the Cardboard badge.
You’ll need:
- A cardboard box lid or shallow box
- Strips of cardboard (cut from scrap) at least 1″ high
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- A marble or small ball
Instructions:
- Cut strips of cardboard into walls and barriers.
- Glue or tape them inside the box lid to form a maze path.
- Leave an entry and exit point, then test it out with your marble.
- Optional: Use a deeper lid or box and add challenges—like ramps, tunnels, bridges or even holes to avoid—for bonus engineering fun.
- Decorate as desired, then time each other completing the maze.
Full instructions can be found on Autodesk Instructibles.
Also pairs well with: Engineering, Simple Machines, or Inventions badges.
Tips & Tricks for Troop & Club Leaders
Let Members Lead a Badge
Give older kids the opportunity to choose a badge they’re excited about and lead the group through completing it. They’ll plan the activities, gather supplies (with your help), and guide younger members step-by-step through each requirement. It builds leadership, planning, and public speaking skills—while giving them ownership over the learning process. Be sure to meet with them ahead of time to review their plan, offer support, and make sure everything stays age-appropriate and safe.
Leadership Position Spotlight
Scribe
Assigning leadership roles to kids in your troop/club isn’t just about delegation—it’s about giving them real responsibility, ownership, and a chance to grow into capable, confident leaders. The Scribe plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in keeping your troop or club organized. This position is responsible for taking accurate notes at all meetings where business is discussed and for logging all badges and Servant’s Heart Awards earned by members. It’s a record-keeping role that helps your group stay on track and maintain a clear history of progress throughout the year.
Because these records are important for award eligibility and leadership accountability, the Scribe should always be supervised by an adult who can double-check for accuracy and completeness if the position is held by a younger member.
This position is ideal for detail-oriented members who are learning the importance of documentation, consistency, and responsibility. It’s also a great introduction to administrative skills that carry over into future jobs and volunteer roles.
Let your Scribe shine by providing them with a binder, record sheets, and a regular time to review their log with a leader.
Not a Member Yet?
Curiosity Untamed offers a flexible, hands-on learning curriculum that grows with your kids—from preschool to adulthood. Whether you homeschool, run a troop, or just want more meaningful family activities, there’s a place for you here.
