[Deptheads] Kids/Family Events in Family Room

[Strategicon Department Heads]

I believe we need to rethink this. 

The first issue I have is running kid's events in a special room has the danger of it turning into daycare. 

>From a different perspective, one of the complaints the folks in board games (attendees) made about open gaming not being contiguous with board games is they liked having their kids close at hand playing a game while they (the adults) are playing their games.

Space wise it will be a poorly utilized space that cannot accommodate games from many departments due to the differing table requirements needed.  We cannot reset or change the tables in that room without incurring a charge every time we do it.

I won't even bring up the staffing issue.

I think we would be better served by having a kid's and family track.  Maybe have an "HQ" of sorts to direct people, but hold the games in the space normally given to that department.

Tim


-----Original Message-----
From: Deptheads [mailto:deptheads-bounces at strategicon.net] On Behalf Of Strategicon Department Heads
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 4:45 PM
To: Strategicon Department Heads
Subject: [Deptheads] Kids/Family Events in Family Room

Message From: Tanya Aldrich  taldrich at strategicon.net Hi All,

I thought I'd get this notice out early. Here are my thoughts on how to help the Kids Track and Family Room.

Each department try to get on the schedule at least one Kids Only event to run sometime between 8:00am and 8:00pm, which should run in the Family Room (Video and possibly LARPs and Minis exempt from location).

Each department try to get on the schedule at least one Family event to run between 8:00am and Midnight run in the Family Room (Video and possibly LARPs and Minis exempt from location). Most departments this just means relocating an event.

The time ranges mean starting no earlier than and ending no later than. For example, an 8pm Family RPG is fine, but an 8pm Kids Only isn't. And don't schedule a 2hr kids event at 7pm. I recommend Family events starting no later than 8pm.

I would like to see these department goals expand to at least one Kids/Family event per day by Gateway and at least one Kids Only and one Family event per day by Orccon 2016.

*** Boardgames: I'll likely have you covered for Saturday and Sunday Kids games, you need to work on Friday and/or Monday for Gamex. Demos don't count. :)

*** Minis: Please talk to the Paint and Take people about setting aside a Family hour maybe each day or something and emphasize the Strategikids category in the painting contest.

*** RPGs/LARPs and Minis: I've noticed that kids aren't typically the target audience of these types of games, but they are out there. Please try to get one running. I did a search on 'kids miniature game' and 'kids rpg game' with promising results. If my 5 yr old has a chance to make sense of it, all the better. :) I had less luck with 'kids larp', but it wasn't non-existent. I'm hoping a Family LARP can be organized by Gateway 2016, with the intent of one such larp a year.

Kids events can range from age 4 to 12. The events don't have to cover the whole range, but should list the starting age, and if appropriate, an ending age. Any game rated age 10+ should be a Family game.

Please send table requirements to Tim and me, so we both have an idea of what needs to be set up in the room.

I'm willing to help organize as much as I can for the Family Room to work, but remember these things...

1. I'm not local.
2. I will not, at any point, be running this room at the con. I'm only running events. The room problem will be addressed separately.

Goal recap by Department for Gamex 2015

Boardgames: 1 Kids Only and 1 Family event on Friday and/or Monday in Family Room
Collectibles: 1 Kids Only and 1 Family event in Family Room
Minis: 1 Kids Only and 1 Family event, hopefully in the Family Room
RPGs/LARPs: 1 Kids Only and 1 Family event in Family Room

Tanya
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