A Note From the Founder – Enjoy the Possibilities
by Kerry Cordy
A friend sent me the image below. I don’t know the artist or where it came from, but it is a perfect description of me. (If you know the artist, please let me know so I can give them credit.) My craft room is overflowing with supplies that I have collected over the years. Much of it I have had for decades, but I can’t seem to bring myself to throw away. Each time I look at them, I see the possibilities they can become and it brings me joy even if those possibilities never come to fruition.
Just as we hold onto certain materials, we hold onto dreams, aspirations, and opportunities, even if they remain dormant for a while. These unused possibilities serve as reminders of the boundless opportunities life presents and the ever-present potential for growth and transformation. In our craft room of life, every experience, every skill, and every relationship is a supply waiting to be employed. Some may gather dust for a time, while others are used regularly, but each has its place and purpose within the intricate tapestry of our existence. So, enjoy the possibilities…
New Badges Added
Engineering, Codes and Ciphers (Cryptology), Animation, Shells for Stacey
Community Collaboration: Partnering with Professionals
Do your kids want to earn badges that require skills you don’t have? The breadth of badge topics—from first aid to coding—can present a challenge for troop leaders aiming to provide comprehensive instruction. Fortunately, there’s a wealth of expertise within local communities waiting to be tapped. By partnering with experts in various fields—from first responders to artists to engineers— troops gain access to firsthand knowledge and practical skills. These professionals not only impart valuable lessons but also inspire kids to explore diverse interests and pursue lifelong learning.
Frontier Girls Troop 213 recently earned their Cake Decorating badge with the help of a local cake shop called Shannons Creations. Ms. Shannon showed the girls multiple decorating techniques using everything from frosting and piping skills to candy, sugar crystals and marshmallows. Give your community a chance to enhance the life of a child and share their expertise by inviting them to teach a badge to your group.
Summer Service – Community Service Ideas for All Ages
When planning community service activities, please make sure to keep safety measures in mind.
Preschool and Level 1
- Toy and Clothing Drive: Help children gather gently used toys and clothes to donate to local shelters or children’s hospitals.
- Park Clean-Up: Organize a simple clean-up event at a local park, picking up litter and helping to keep the environment clean.
- Neighborhood Beautification: Plant flowers or help tend to community gardens in your neighborhood.
- Senior Center Visit: Visit a local senior center to sing songs, make crafts, or simply spend time with elderly residents.
Level 2
- Environmental Projects: Participate in tree planting events, community garden maintenance, or neighborhood clean-ups.
- Animal Shelter Volunteer: Volunteer at an animal shelter by walking dogs, socializing cats, or helping with cleaning tasks.
- Community Fundraisers: Participate in or organize fundraising events such as bake sales, car washes, or lemonade stands to support local causes.
Level 3
- Tutoring and Mentoring: Offer tutoring or mentoring services to younger children in subjects where you excel.
- Food Bank Volunteer: Assist at a local food bank by sorting and packing food donations.
- Library Helper: Offer to help at the local library by shelving books, organizing materials, or assisting with children’s reading programs.
- Park Renovation Projects: Get involved in park renovation or improvement projects, such as building new trails, installing benches, or painting murals.
Level 4
- Disaster Relief Volunteer: Volunteer with organizations that provide disaster relief services, such as distributing supplies or assisting with recovery efforts.
- Hospital Volunteer: Volunteer at a hospital by assisting with patient services, delivering items to patients, or helping with administrative tasks.
- Homeless Shelter Support: Help at a homeless shelter by serving meals, organizing donations, or providing companionship to residents.
- Community Cleanup Crew: Lead or participate in larger-scale community clean-up projects, such as river clean-ups or beach clean-ups.
Ages 18+
- Community Center Volunteer: Offer your time at a local community center by teaching classes, organizing events, or providing administrative support.
- Adult Literacy Tutor: Volunteer with adult literacy programs to help individuals improve their reading and writing skills.
- Elderly Care Companion: Provide companionship and assistance to elderly individuals in nursing homes or senior living facilities.
- Nonprofit Internship: Seek out internships or volunteer positions with nonprofit organizations focused on causes you are passionate about.
- Political Advocacy: Get involved in political advocacy (as an individual and not as a representative of Frontier Girls, Quest Clubs, or Curiosity Untamed).
Summer Reading Challenge: Explore, Imagine, Discover!
Create a summer reading challenge! Explore new worlds, imagine endless possibilities, and discover the joy of reading together. Below are some ideas to get you started.
- Set a personal reading goal for the summer. It could be a specific number of books, pages, or hours spent reading.
- You can read anything – fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry, etc.
- Keep track of your reading progress using the printable reading logs like the ones provided below.
- Write book reviews, create book-themed art, or act out scenes from your favorite stories.
STEM Challenge
Create a Paper Rocket! Using only the materials listed below, create a paper rocket that will fly without being touched.
Supplies:
- Paper
- Plastic straw
- Tape
Think about what type of force you can use to launch your rocket. How does the design of your rocket determine how far it can travel and how well you can aim it? Experiment with different designs. Which is the most effective?
