Discovering the Wild Frontier: Corps of Re-Discovery

I have a dream, the dream of packing our wagon and heading west on the adventure of a lifetime.  I have been fascinated by the Westward Movement, the Frontier, and of course, the Little House on the Prairie, for as long as I can remember, and so when I learned I would receive a product from the Corps of Re-discovery to try out and review as part of my commitment to the TOS Homeschool Crew, I was intrigued.  After all, The Corps of Discovery was the name President Thomas Jefferson gave to the Lewis and Clark party as he commissioned them to find an east-west water passage to the Pacific.

Corps of Re-discovery is run by a homeschooling family that has lived my dream.  After dreaming this very same dream for ten years, they packed up a 32 foot motor home and traveled through 47 of the 50 states over a 14 month period, teaching their children along the way.  Drawing on their experiences, they design quality craft kits that enable children to really discover the history of the American Indians, Frontiersmen, and Pioneer Americans:  moccasins, leather pouches, corn husk dolls, quilts, samplers, and more.  The projects are appropriate for children in elementary school on up through high school. 

We received the Corps of Re-discovery Tomahawk Kit which retails for $7.99, but is currently on sale for $5.50.  The materials are well-made and the directions easy-to-follow.   The blade is constructed of heavy-duty leather, and so while it will withstand a great deal of boy-play, it will not cut or injure “the enemy.”  My boys needed a bit of help tying off the ends of the leather straps that hold on the blade, but otherwise, were able to complete this project on their own. 

Honestly, the only drawback I found in regards to this item was the fact that I only received one Tomahawk Kit to review.  With two young boys in the family, this was the source of much  argument and complaint:  both boys wanted to decorate and assemble their own tomahawks!  I can’t wait until we study the Westward Movement and the Frontier in our history studies.  When we do, I will certainly check out more of the kits at Corps of Re-discovery.  They are well-constructed and reasonably priced!  Connor is anxious to try out the candle dipping kit, after watching candles being made on a field trip to Mount Vernon.  Ryan, on the other hand, thought the flint and steel set looked like it might be fun to try out on our next camping trip. 

Check out the variety of fun craft kits available at Corps of Re-discovery, and be sure to stop back and let me know if you try one out with your kids!  I’d love to hear about your experience!