El Paso Mineral and Gem Society
El Paso Mineral and Gem Society
Future Rockhounds of America Membership Patch
Implemented and facilitated locally by the
El Paso Mineral and Gem Society
In the ROCKY MOUNTAIN FEDERATION OF MINERAL SOCIETIES (SCFMS) Region
Future Rockhounds of America is a nationwide nonprofit program within the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies that develops and delivers quality youth activities in the earth sciences and lapidary arts in a fun, family environment. Our underlying goals are to foster science literacy and arts education through structured activities that are engaging and challenging and by which kids—and the adults who mentor them—learn while having fun.
All kids belonging to clubs affiliated with Future Rockhounds of America automatically receive the FRA Membership Patch.
The following is a list of the activity areas where Future Rockhounds of America can earn badges
Badge 1: Rocks & Minerals
Badge 2: Earth Resources
Badge 3: Fossils
Badge 4: Lapidary Arts
Badge 5: Collecting
Badge 6: Showmanship
Badge 7: Communication
Badge 8: Field Trips
Badge 9: Leadership & Citizenship
Badge 10: Earth Processes
Badge 11: Earth in Space
Badge 12: Gold Panning & Prospecting
Badge 13: Gemstone Lore & Legend
Badge 14: Stone Age Tools & Art
Badge 15: Rocking on the Computer
Badge 16: The World in Miniature
Badge 17: Special Effects
Badge 18: Fluorescent Minerals
Badge 19: Reaching Across Generations
Badge 20: Maps
Rockhound Badge
AFMS Cloisonné Pin for Rock Stars
To earn a badge there are a number of activities listed for that badge. The Junior Rockhound, under leader guidance, will need to complete a certain minimum number of those activities to achieve the badge. For each badge or topic area the leaders and club members will choose from a list of activities that are recommended in the program guide. There is also an opportunity to create an appropriate activity for each badge so the program is quite flexible for different ages.
We invite you to contact epjrrockhounds@ (TBD) for further information and hope you see you soon carrying your own box of rocks.
The first chapter of our future rockhounds is located at the elementary youth services center on Ft. Bliss. Their club name is the Ft. Bliss Meteorites. A core group of youngsters in grades 1-5 have been learning about rocks and minerals under the guidance of Denny Hodge, Beth Hodge, Eddie Wiles, and Toni Lunsford. Three future rockhounds have earned the Rocks and Minerals Patch. They are:
Emanuel C.
Rowan W.
Theodore B.
Emanuel has also achieved perfect attendance to date. We are very proud of all the work these kiddos have put in to earn this first badge. In addition, we are thankful to center director, Miss Monica and her staff for all of their support.
The next patch we are focusing on is Lapidary Arts.
While Rocks don’t speak or move they do tell stories and paint pictures. - anonymous