Karen Kindrick Cox is the creator of EPIC Adventures. She passed away in November 2015, but her legacy lives on. Here is the story of how EPIC Adventures came to be, in her own words.
"The day my first baby was born, a hospital nurse happened to know that I was an artist. As she looked at my new little baby girl she said, "Here is your greatest masterpiece." Though it wasn't MY handiwork, it was the absolute truth. There is nothing greater or more magnificent than a child. There is little of greater worth to devote our time."
"When I discovered homeschool it was a dream come true! I wanted to share the world with my children and I was thrilled with the opportunity! In early 1984 I pulled my first two children out of 2nd grade and kindergarten and the adventure began!"
"I am the mother of six birth children, five girls and one boy, plus 3 more daughters, 7 son-in-laws and at present I have 24 + 1 (on the way!) grandchildren. I claim and love them all with all my heart!"
"I taught my children at home for twenty years until my youngest graduated from homeschool in 2004. They each are passionate about learning, (they even have a sibling book club) and are now creating very exciting EPIC Adventures for their own children! Two are still in college, but so far among them they have earned 3 bachelor and 3 associates degrees, even with honors and high honors, and are now teaching the next generation."
"Early on a dear friend told me about Susan Kovalik and her work with teaching children, teachers and administrators. I sought her out and learned how to create brain compatible, year-long learning adventures. My sister Cynthia and I loved it from the start. Our encounter with Susan changed our homeschools (and our lives!) dramatically and brought magic and memories to our years."
"Before long we were Associates with Susan Kovalik and Associates, presenting and helping to train public and private school teachers and administrators in the Integrated Thematic Instruction model during the summer week-long trainings and Advanced Curriculum Writing Workshops. In time I developed the EPIC pattern and blueprint, and crowned our year-long learning adventures EPIC Adventures. We have also presented 1 & 2- hour, 1-day and 2- or 3-day workshops for homeschoolers through the years."
"I first met Jeanne Bradley briefly in 1990 at a workshop my sister Cynthia and I gave. The following year she returned to a two-day workshop in my home and shared all the wonderful things her family had experienced in their first EPIC Adventure, Colonial Escapade. We discovered that we were true kindred spirits and immediately became closest friends. We began creating our EPIC Adventures together and getting our children together for special Adventure events. We share many other exciting adventures as well. Soon Jeanne and I presented workshops and talks at homeschool conferences. Another dear friend, Deena Ortiz sometimes presented with us as well. As Jeanne continues to teach her children, her EPIC Adventures are phenomenal!"
"Life is wonderful! Life is what we make it. I applaud you all, for if you are reading this you are among those dedicated souls who are most likely in the midst of raising your children, teaching them as a parent, a homeschooler, or teaching other children outside your home. I'm sure you have many exciting stories of your own to tell! What wonderful, precious years! I wish you the very best and success in all of your heroic endeavors!"
