[Deptheads] Kids Track (was Final numbers)

Wed Feb 26 11:56:02 PST 2014

Here is my take on things.

A Kids Track is an absolute necessity!!!      A Kids Room is a nice to have, lets not dwell on it.
1. The Kids Track should have it's own space, but the space doesn't have to be a room. It does, however, need to be a fixed location, so that kids and parents know where to look for said events [the exception being video games]. That doesn't mean we can't schedule for the players to meet at said space for the video games, then take that group to video games for the event, or alternatively, have the kids escorted to the kids area after the event.
2. The Kids Track needs to involve events representing all gaming departments.
3. The Kids Track doesn't require it's own department, but it would be preferable. The challenge with a department is we need someone to run it and several people to man it, and so far I think I've seen at least three people say we need this, but NOT ME, and you can add me to that list. The initial burden may have to fall on all gaming departments to provide the events and possibly even the person to run them. Also, someone needs to be available to be in the area at times after an event has run to make sure no kids are left un-attended. This last aspect is why a department would be preferable, but again, all departments (not necessarily just gaming departments) may have to share the burden in order to make this project a reality.

If we were able to make this a department, then having non-gaming activities becomes an easier task. At which point, I might even bring Keith and get involved.

Keep in mind folks that like everything with the con it takes time and energy and people to build these things up. Build up the track and maybe a person will come to light to run it as a department.

Also, please keep in mind that if most gamer parents (of pre-teens) are anything like me, the last thing they want to be doing at a con is playing kids games, especially with kids. So those who see the most value in this project are likely the ones with the least amount of interest in actually helping *at* the con.

Tanya

On Feb 25, 2014, at 8:20 AM, Nekojin wrote:

> I think we're talking in two different directions here. Some here are talking about a Kids' Track, and some are talking about a Kids' Room. These two ideas aren't incompatible, but we're not going to come to an agreement on how to handle it until we get an agreement on how we're moving forward on it. 
> 
> The biggest obstacle to having a Kids <Department> is that we need someone to run it. I'm definitely not volunteering for such a position, and neither is Polly. 
> 
> 
> On Tue, Feb 25, 2014 at 8:02 AM, Tim Keennon <tim at stugiii.com> wrote:
> Just so we understand… there is no “room” set aside for this.  Ideally it should easy to find, which means on the first floor.  If Shane can set aside an area in board games for it that might work.
> 
>  
> 
> From: deptheads-bounces at strategicon.net [mailto:deptheads-bounces at strategicon.net] On Behalf Of Kryssie M.
> Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 12:47 AM
> 
> 
> To: deptheads at strategicon.net
> Cc: deptheads at strategicon.net
> Subject: Re: [Deptheads] Final numbers
> 
>  
> 
> I think we all agree this needs to be a thing.  So, rather than beat the proverbial horse to death saying it needs to be a thing, let's make it a thing...  :)  we just need someone to spearhead the department/room (note: this is NOT ME because I am not a kids fan...)  I think one person to schedule and staff the room, as a supervisor, should be sufficient.  Do we have anyone we'd recommend/trust?
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> 
> On Feb 24, 2014, at 7:20 PM, "evil5757 at aol.com" <evil5757 at aol.com> wrote:
> 
> Note on paragraph 2, I had 2 separate people ask me about any kids track program and when I told them and steered them to boardgames hq they both said they went there first and were told by whoever was on duty they had no idea about it. We need to highlight the track and have it include ALL departments.
> 
>  
> 
> John
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Connected by Motorola
> 
> 
> 
> Victor B <fhoenix88 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
>  
> 
> Kublacon, pax and many others have a kids room because it is not the same liability as a daycare.
> 
> A kids room is no different than boardgaming, video games, or rpg rooms except it is for kids only and the games library is kids games and there are other things for kids to do in there (movies, toys, etc). It is not daycare. Every con with a kids room specifies it is not a daycare and kids under 8 have to be accompanied by a guardian. Same liability we have now. There is someone in charge of the room like in all other depts. but there are no babysitters. No one cares and feeds for the kids---that is called daycare.(Same as video game room is now but video game room should not be the default place for kids to hang out at the con for the majority of their time there). Without the video game room those kids are running around in the lobby or they find another empty room to play in until kicked out when an event comes in to run.  Video games has mentioned this many times that they get swamped as a kids destination. A kids hangout. It is unfair to them and to the kids. This orccon I asked a few people why I didn't see them in video game room playing league of legends etc. and they said too many kids. The kids need their own room. If it works at kublacon it can work at strategicon. They also have a teen room (ages 13-17). Loscon had one too and called it the teen lounge. I wouldn't worry about the teen room yet until we get a kids room (Kublacon calls their kids room the "young gamers room".
> 
>  
> 
> A daycare is different. It is a place where attendees, volunteers and staff drop off their small children to be cared for and watched. The people doing the daycare are licensed and accept responsibility for the kids. They are paid for their services and accept responsibilty. San Diego comic con has an outside service onsite that handles daycare. The person wanting daycare deals with that company. It is a regular daycare service. We are looking into getting an outside source to do daycare onsite. That is separate from the kids room and kids programming track (which we already have and merely need to highlight it in the conbook). It is good so many people care about our kids and grandkids that attend the con. In the meantime keep scheduling kids events and categorizing them as so and if you have reliable friends who babysit they can make some extra money at strategicon as there are always people looking for reliable trustworthy sitters.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 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
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> "Would you like another drink, sir?" asked the bartender.
> "I think not," replied Descartes, and promptly vanished.
> _______________________________________________
> 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/20140226/3d22d47e/attachment-0001.htm