A Note from the Founder – Build a Bridge
I was recently introduced to a wonderful poem called The Bridge Builder. It is about a man who crosses a great chasm, then takes the time to build a bridge for others to cross more easily. It is a wonderful reminder for those of us who are older, with more experience, to share our knowledge, our experiences, and our lessons with those younger or newer to the programs. Many of you have been troop leaders for more than a decade or have been homeschooling for 20 years or more. The knowledge you have, when shared, can smooth the road for a new leader, or a new homeschooling parent.
For those of you on Facebook, I highly encourage you to join one, or both, of our Facebook forums. This is where our community connects. This is where newer members ask questions and older members can share their wisdom. This is where you can make a difference for someone struggling and encourage them. This is where we become a family. Some of my best friends have been made on these forums over the years. All are welcome and I hope you will join us.
The Bridge Builder
By Will Allen Dromgoole
An old man going along a highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing a sullen tide
The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followed after me to-day
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”
New Badges Added
Quotes and Speeches Badge – Dive into the words that shaped history. Learn to recognize powerful language, analyze what makes a speech effective, and even try writing and delivering one of your own.
Ghost Towns Badge – Discover the rise and fall of once-thriving towns. Explore the history, economy, and stories behind abandoned places—and what they can teach us about resilience, change, and community.
Competitive Card Games Badge– Practice strategy, focus, and good sportsmanship while learning a variety of competitive card games. Whether it’s a two-player duel or a full-table tournament, this badge turns classic fun into skill-building.
Free Ghost Town Unit Study: Explore Abandoned Histories
What happens when a once-bustling town falls silent? This month, we’re excited to release a free unit study to accompany the brand-new Ghost Towns badge—a hands-on journey into the forgotten places of history.
From mining towns left behind after a gold rush to desert communities dried up by drought, ghost towns tell powerful stories about growth, decline, and resilience. This unit study is designed for all ages and includes creative activities, writing prompts, and even a cardboard diorama project to bring learning to life.
You’ll explore:
- Why towns form—and why they disappear
- Real ghost towns across the U.S. (and how to “visit” them virtually)
- Hands-on activities like designing your own ghost town
- A focus on observation and imaginative thinking
Whether you’re homeschooling or working with a troop or club, this free unit study offers a flexible way to dig deeper into history while fulfilling the badge requirements. It’s a great option for March when the weather is still unpredictable and you’re looking for meaningful indoor learning that doesn’t feel like a worksheet stack.
And if you complete it, be sure to share your favorite creations in the member forums—we love seeing how your kids bring learning to life!
Hands-On Activity: Nature Looms
Celebrate the season with a simple outdoor weaving activity that combines nature, creativity, and mindfulness. This is a great hands-on project for the Weaving, Spring, or Art in Nature badges.
You’ll need:
- A small Y-shaped branch
- String, yarn, or twine
- Scissors
- Natural materials like leaves, grasses, petals, feathers, bark, etc.
Instructions:
- Wrap string tightly between the two arms of your branch to create a loom.
- Go on a nature walk to collect small materials.
- Weave natural items through the string.
- Hang your finished loom on a wall or door for a seasonal display.
Seasonal Activities
- Garden Planning – Start seeds indoors or map out a spring planting schedule. Pair with the Gardening, Seeds, or Pollinators badges.
- Spring Scavenger Hunt – Create a color-based or nature-based scavenger hunt for your next meeting. Great for Scavenger Hunt, Spring, Animal Tracking, or Bird Watching badges.
- Kite Flying – Go fly a kite! Build simple paper or plastic bag kites and fly them in an open space. Ties in with the Kites badge as well as Recycling.
- Spring Clean & Serve – Clean up a local park, trail, or neighborhood area. Pairs with Servant’s Heart Awards, Recycling, or Hiking.
March 4th (Forth!) Holiday
March 4th isn’t just a date—it’s one of my favorite days of the year. We’ve claimed it as our own little holiday: a time to “March Forth” in learning, leadership, and service. It’s a reminder that our program is about forward motion—taking steps, big or small, toward becoming the people we’re meant to be.
For some of you, March 4th is the day you finish a long-awaited badge or start a new challenge. For others, it’s the day you drop kindness cards in your neighborhood, plan a service project, or finally step up to lead a meeting. And for those participating in our annual SWAPS event, it’s a time to connect with fellow members across the country—building friendships and sharing your creativity through handmade keepsakes.
No matter how you celebrate, I encourage you to pause this month and ask: how can I march forth today? How can I help someone else move forward, too?
Thank you for being part of this growing, grassroots community. I can’t wait to see where we all go from here. Post your group’s celebration or project in the member forums—I’d love to see how you’re moving forward.
Leadership Position Spotlight
Care Coordinator
The Care Coordinator ensures that every member of the group feels supported and seen. From writing thank-you notes to organizing small gestures for members who are sick or going through a hard time, this role teaches empathy, communication, and the importance of caring for others.
Encourage your Care Coordinator to keep a log of birthdays, celebrations, and community needs—and empower them to lead small acts of kindness throughout the year. A heartfelt note or handmade card can go a long way.
Spring Cleaning with a Purpose: Host a Toy or Clothing Drive
As families start clearing out closets and toy bins to make room for spring, it’s the perfect time to turn that cleaning into community service. Organizing a toy or clothing drive is a simple, meaningful way to help those in need—and it’s a great hands-on project for any troop, club, or homeschool group.
Start by identifying a local shelter, foster care organization, or nonprofit that accepts gently used items. Call ahead to ask what they need most—some may prefer children’s clothing, others might be looking for seasonal items, toys, or even books.
Then set a collection goal and get to work! Kids can make flyers, organize donations by size or type, and help prepare items for drop-off. Encourage them to include a kind note or draw a picture to tuck in with their donation—it adds a personal touch that reminds recipients they’re cared for.
This is an easy project to pair with badges like Recycling, My Community, or Kindness . It’s also a great way to remind kids that what seems small to them—a sweater they’ve outgrown or a toy they no longer use—can mean a lot to someone else.
Whether you collect five items or fifty, every bit helps. Spring is a season of renewal—let’s use it to spread kindness and meet real needs in our local communities.
Badge Resources: Unit Studies and Meeting Plans
If you haven’t explored the growing collection of fully developed unit studies and badge meeting plans, now’s the time. These ready-to-go resources make it easy to dive into a badge with hands-on activities, printables, and clear instructions.
You’ll find plans for all ages and a wide variety of badge topics—great for clubs, co-ops, and homeschoolers alike.
Tips & Tricks for Troop and Club Leaders
Try Rotating Stations for Multi-Level Groups
Instead of leading a single group through an activity, set up activity stations around your space—each tied to a different badge requirment. Have kids rotate in small groups, either independently or with a junior leader guiding each one. It helps multi-age clubs stay engaged, makes the most of limited meeting time, and gives older members a chance to lead.
Not a Member Yet?
Curiosity Untamed offers a flexible, hands-on learning curriculum that fits your family or group—whether you homeschool, run a troop, or just want more meaningful afterschool experiences.
