A Note From the Founder – Lessons from Ink
Founder – Kerry Cordy
My daughters are both professional artists and my youngest, Kristine, specializes in ink drawings. Her current collection, called “Decay” was created using india ink and a dip pen. Each dip of the pen grants her 7-10 strokes before she must dip again, so it is a time consuming medium. She recently made the following post that I found inspiring.
“How has drawing in ink helped me improve my art?
A few years ago, I started sketching almost exclusively in ballpoint pen. The majority of my large pieces were in India ink. When I choose to use color, it’s often in the form of markers.
The biggest thing ink has helped me conquer is the fear of making a mistake. You can’t erase ink. You have to work with it. So if something doesn’t come out right, or I drip some ink, then I get to sit back and rethink how the piece might end up looking.
I don’t throw out hours of work, I just adjust my expectations and take the art in the direction it’s telling me to go.”
More than just improving her art, the lessons Kristine has learned from ink apply to life as well. Things happen. Mistakes are made. Life throws things at you that you don’t expect. But if you adjust your expectations and shift to embrace the unexpected, you will find the beauty that is hidden in every circumstance.
So I encourage you to teach your kids to draw with ink. Show them that mistakes can sometimes create something they never would have thought of otherwise.
New Badges Posted
Picnics, Home Business, Fairy Tea Party
Pi Day – March 14th
Using the Holiday (Specific) Badge, earn your Pi Day badge on March 14. Discuss why this date was chosen to celebrate this useful mathmatical constant. Below are a few ideas for celebrating this unique holiday:
- Pi Day – Find out Who founded Pi Day and when.
- Define Pi – Identify the Pi symbol (π) and learn what Pi represents and how it is calculated.
- Record-Breaking Pi – Discover the longest recorded pi memorization. Try memorizing at least 20 digits of pi (or more!).
- Pi Eating Contest – Make pies with the π symbol on top and hold a pie eating contest.
- Pi Scavenger Hunt – See who can find the most circles around your house or neighborhood.
- Pi Approximation Day – Find out when Pi Approximation Day is and why the date was chosen.
- Circumference & Diameter – Measure everyday circular objects (plates, jars, lids) and calculate circumference using π.
- Pi Trek – Create a Pi Trek Game and play with family or friends (instructions below)
- Pi Crafts – Make a Pi themed craft like paper or clay pies.
“Pi Trek” Game – A Journey Through the Digits of Pi
by Kerry Cordy
Objective: Travel along a circular board, answering pi-related questions and completing challenges to reach the Edge of Infinity first. Make your own, or download a printable version.
Setup:
- Players: 2–6
- Materials:
- A circular game board – a cardboard cake base from craft stores works great for a base. Draw a π symbol in the center of the board. From the center, draw a spiral out toward the edge. Divide the spiral in to spaces. On the space closest to π, write the number 3, then one, then four, etc. following the digits in Pi in their correct sequence. (3, 1, 4, 1, 5, 9, etc.).
- A spinner or a 10-sided die (0–9).
- Pi Challenge Cards
- Small tokens for players.
How to Play:
- Start at the Pi Symbol (π) in the center of the board.
- Roll the 10-sided die or spin the spinner to move along the board, jumping to the next occurrence of that digit in pi’s sequence.
- Draw a Challenge Card when you land on a space. If you complete the task, Stay on your spot. Fail the task, back up three spaces.
- First person to cross the Edge of infinity wins. (At the end of the spiral, if you roll/spin a number that is no longer in front of you, you have reached the edge of infinity and win the game.)
Challenge Card Types:
- Pi Questions (Trivia) – Answer a question about pi
- “Who first calculated pi?”
- “What is the area formula for a circle?”
- Pi Challenges (Hands-on tasks) – Players must complete a quick activity:
- Measure a circular object and calculate its circumference.
- Recite as many digits of pi as possible in 10 seconds.
- Draw the pi symbol with their non-dominant hand.
- Pi Actions (Game modifiers) – These cards shake up the game:
- “Slice of Pi!“ – Trade places with any player on the board.
- “Lost in the Infinite Digits!” – Skip a turn.
- “Pi Spiral!” – Move to the nearest “9” space.
March (Forth!) 4th
March 4th was the date that the first American Congress convened, marking the beginning of America as we know it today as they prepared to “march forth” as a nation. Many years ago we chose this date for our annual program holiday.
March 4th each year is a day of action when Frontier Girls, Quest members and Curiosity Untamed families “March Forth” across the nation to spread the word about our program and learn about other members around the country. For those participating in our annual SWAPS event, we try to have all SWAPS mailed by the end of February so that they arrive in time to be enjoyed by your assigned partner as part of their March 4th celebration. Members participate in activities and projects with state or national themes to honor members in other regions and states. March 4th (Forth!) not only gives members a chance to celebrate inter-state or county friendships, but is also a reminder that they are part of a nationwide community.
Here are just a few ideas for activities your group can do to particpate in this holiday:
- Get together with a nearby family or troop to do a fun activity or service project.
- Collaborate on a project or badge with member in another state (use our Facebook Forums to connect. Frontier Girls Forum, Curiosity Untamed/Quest Clubs Forum)
- Host or participate in a March 4th Day celebration. Have each person (or troop) learn about a different region of our country. Then have each person/troop bring a dish of food from their region, make a swap from their region, bring a craft or item to talk about, etc.
- Set up a Virtual Meet and Greet – Set up a Zoom call with a troops or family from another region to share what is special about where you live and how you use the program.
- Create a troop spotlight video showcasing your troop/club and your favorite badges and activities. (See example on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiJu03RDhiA&t=38s)
- Set up a table at your local library with brochures, crafts, and a poster about Frontier Girls, Quest Clubs or Curiosity Untamed.
- Organize a community project while wearing your uniforms and explain what your troop/club is about.
- Hold a recruitment meeting for your troop or club with fun activities to gain new members.
- “Day in the Life” Challenge – Document your day and share it with another family to compare lifestyles and activities.
- Earn a state badge for another state. (Preferably the same state you swapped with!)
- Make a recipe that is popular in another state and share it with friends.
- Meet the Founder, Kerry Cordy, or interview her by phone or email.
Last Chance to Apply! – Continuing Education Scholarships for Frontier Girls Members
The Frontier Girls program offers three annual continuing education scholarships to girls ages 16-21.
These scholarships are not traditional college scholarships and can be used for any type of continuing education including college tuition, vocational schools, special classes or seminars, educational equipment (computers, cameras, etc.) or even travel. Our goal is to encourage girls to continue to learn new things and explore the world around them even if it is not within a traditional school system.
The deadline for applying is April 1, 2025
Click on the links below for details regarding each scholarship and the requirements to qualify and apply.
