In a message dated 10/19/98 5:17:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time, elf@pclink.com
writes:

> Kid's Corner:
> I wonder if it should be separate to discourage
> kids from wandering into some of the clues on
> this page that may take you into remote and/or hazardous places. Or
> would it be good to just put a note on the clue like "Good for Kids."
> Perhaps the kids corner could represent special instructions geared for
> kids and then point them only to the "Good for Kids" clues??? I'm just
> thinking out loud.

As always, just my 2.5 cent's worth... I am hopeful that most of us are not
setting out boxes that are terribly hazardous, although many do require adult
supervision. Most of these types have tended to be very remote or have had
difficult clues (compass positions, for example.) so I don't really see any
reason to keep the Kid's Corner completely seperate. But it would be nice to
have a special page containing links to all the clues that are suitable for
young 'uns.

In addition, as you suggest, a simplified set of instructions would be good.
Many of the kids will not have the freedom to go out and find the boxes that
we list on the website, so I think we should show them how to make simplified
letterboxes that they can hide in their neighborhood for other kids to find.
They will not need a website to advertise clues on... just word of mouth will
do, I'm sure.

All they need is a box, a book, and a stamp. If we can put together a set of
instructions for making a stamp using relatively "safe" tools, I think that
would be a fun aspect of it, as well. (By relatively "safe" tools, I am
referring to a beginner's set of wood carving knives, or even a wooden pencil
with the eraser pulled out leaving the metal cylinder intact.)

We could even provide a page of simple designs they could print off, darken in
with a lead pencil, and then burnish onto an eraser.

Kids wouldn't necessarily even have to have an ink pad. They can color the
surface of the stamp with a felt-tipped, water-base marker, and then start
stampin'.

Also, we might want a simple guide to writing kid-friendly clues, and an
explanation of what to do when you find a box (i.e. - "stamping in").

The neighborhood letterboxers of today are the world-class letterboxers of
tomorrow! (and orienteerers, and artists, and architects, and teachers, and
map-makers, and computer programmers...)

Sincerely,
Der Mad Stamper
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