[Deptheads] As we grow...

[Ryan McMullan]

If we want to grow gamers, but not tempt day care, we could build on Roberts
idea by creating a punch card where they would get a stamp/sticker/etc. for
each event they participate in, with points for collecting one of each kind
(CCG, RPG, boardgame, etc.).  That would give them exposure to a wide range
of games and recognition for their efforts.  It could even become a
mini-game (each event is 5 points, do 3 events in the same department is +15
points, do 1 event in each department is +30 points, do event with your
parent or sibling +5 points, etc.).  Create cool names for different
thresholds (50 point = dedicated gamer, 75 points = hardcore gamer, etc.)
and you have recognition and achievement, prizes would be a bonus.  This
way, there's not one room that tempts day care (and scares volunteers), but
each department needs to try to provide events, then we create the punch
card each con based on what each department was actually able to come up
with.

Grist for the mill,
Ryan


On Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 9:42 AM, Robert LaMarre <r.m.lamarre at gmail.com>wrote:

> Why don't we treat it more as a "Kid's Club"?  There should be scheduled
> events throughout the day for kids (board games, video games, children's
> games like Simon Sez) and kid/parent team events (co-op games, maybe even an
> RPG for younger participants).  The main thing is to distinguish the
> difference between a club and a day-care and to encourage kids to do more
> than just sit in front of a video game all day and try new things.  We're
> growing future gamers here.
>
> Maybe there could be special awards given to club members for participating
> in different events?  At the paint and takes, they have something to take
> home with them that they are proud of.  I can't tell you how many kids I've
> seen showing off their work.  If we could capture that kind of feeling in
> other areas, I think that could go a long way.  Or we could give each kids
> club member something that shows they are part of the club, similar to VIPs
> getting special gear.
>
> Just pitching in my two cents...
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 7, 2011 at 8:34 PM, <fad23 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> One of my new volunteers approached me last weekend and had one item of
>> conversation which she felt we (the convention) must consider as we grow:
>> how we deal with our child guests.
>>
>> At the moment we have a "family Sunday" which seems like an attraction. At
>> other times it appears that children are left by their parents in the video
>> game room, or roam with no real direction. This is just an observation, but
>> I imagine that means that we could implement some idea that could give these
>> visitors some real content.
>>
>> For the last convention, I brought in Bill Chott to do Simon Sez. I'm sure
>> he'd come back to do it again, but I think we could do a lot more!
>>
>> I'm not suggesting a specific plan at the moment. I'm not a parent, so I
>> can only guess the concerns of the gamer parents I know who attend. The aim
>> of this message is to spark a discussion that might lead to ideas that
>> eventually become a plan.
>>
>> Obviously there are many issues that would be of concern: content,
>> staffing, scheduling, and other practical matters. I suppose I'd like to
>> read your thoughts on this notion, and consider them as much as I am able.
>>
>> Then there's the idea of a short term plan and a long term plan - things I
>> can add to the schedule for Gateway and what we imagine as the shape of the
>> convention in the years to come. Just in the typing of this message I'm
>> getting inspired. Any light bulbs popping over your heads?
>>
>> I expect I'll be opening this discussion up to my friends in private. In
>> the mean time, if you have opinions or ideas, I'd be interested in reading
>> them.
>>
>> Thanks for your time. I look forward to reading your responses.
>>
>> twenty-three-skidoo,
>>
>> Neil Figuracion
>> Fad23
>>
>> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: "Eric M. Aldrich" <ealdrich at mac.com>
>> Sender: deptheads-bounces at strategicon.net
>> Date: Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:10:01
>> To: <Deptheads at strategicon.net>
>> Reply-To: deptheads at strategicon.net
>> Subject: [Deptheads] A few new additions to the list
>>
>> I've added three new people to the list -- one way overdue :-(
>>
>> The overdue one is Fred Upton -- he's the second on the RPGA side. He's
>> been actively helping us for years, and Mickey and Mike have frequently
>> asked me to add him and I've flaked, so he's finally here.
>>
>> The next person is Taralyn Frasqueri-Molina, or "TL" as she goes by. She's
>> the person behind lining up the artwork and is working with marketing.
>> Thanks to her we had the wonderful conbook cover art and TShirts this last
>> show.
>>
>> Finally, we have someone who is genuinely new, Frank Vassallo, who is
>> taking over for Harmon Ward running the historical end of the miniatures
>> team for at least this show. Harmon is still on the list as well. Things are
>> a little complicated right now, but more on that later.
>>
>> Glad to have the three of you here!
>>
>> I still need to add some of Neil's board game assistants.
>>
>> Hopefully we'll have final numbers from Gamex soon. They're looking pretty
>> good.
>>
>> Eric
>> _______________________________________________
>> Deptheads mailing list
>> Deptheads at strategicon.net
>> http://mordred.punk.net/mailman/listinfo/deptheads
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Deptheads mailing list
>> Deptheads at strategicon.net
>> http://mordred.punk.net/mailman/listinfo/deptheads
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Deptheads mailing list
> Deptheads at strategicon.net
> http://mordred.punk.net/mailman/listinfo/deptheads
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mordred.punk.net/pipermail/deptheads/attachments/20110613/fce0d17a/attachment-0001.htm