A few months ago I started to research Letterboxing - a fun “treasure hunt” activity that you can do throughout the world. This summer we’ve already found a few letterboxes, and we’ll probably hide a few as well. I’ll post more photos about our excursions in the next few weeks, but for now I’ll just share some letterboxing tips, as a part of Kailani’s group writing project.

1. Visit letterboxing.org and research the letterboxes that have been “planted” in your area. Look for the date the letterbox was last seen, to give yourself a better chance of actually finding it.

2. Consider letterboxing when you’re already visiting a geographical location, or choose to letterbox in areas that have several letterboxes hidden. It can be disappointing to travel a distance only to find the letterbox has been removed by someone who doesn’t understand the protocol.

3. Empower your kids to choose the letterboxes they would like to find - purchase city maps that help them to follow the clues.

4. Make a stamp (we carved on the end of a cork or eraser) and purchase an ink pad and small tablet for recording your visit in the letterbox. The tablet is used as a journal to record the letterbox stamps you discover.

5. Bring basic supplies like bug spray, sunblock, and baby wipes (for wiping down legs after walking into questionable weeds!)

6. Follow the Leave No Trace code of etiquette. Letterboxing only works if everyone makes an effort to keep the site just as they found it.

Works for us! We love it. Our kids are ages 9 and 11, which I think are probably the perfect age for this activity. For more fun ideas, visit Rocks in My Dryer on Wednesday.

This weekend we went to a park gathering hosted by the church our friends belong to. It was designed as an activity for families, as well as a benefit for a young woman in the community who is seriously ill.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the event was far better organized and fun than I assumed it would be.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the Velcro wall and booth games where Craig filled his pockets with candy.

But what struck me was the feeling that this must have all been done before. How else could such a large gathering, with a band, food booth, dunk tank and carnival games result in such a successful turnout?

And then I watched who was doing the work. I knew that while the organizers of the event got together to plan, Darla’s friend babysat their kids. I knew this church family had created a community, where members depended on each other.

But there was another thing. I saw one mother giving out the free tickets for carnival games — her young child at her side. I saw another mother managing a game booth. Her teenage daughter managed the one next to her. I saw a Dad helping kids into the Velcro booth. Craig’s 10-year-old friend stood in line for his turn to get dunked in the dunking booth. I saw Darla’s friend collecting money at the food booth, with her mother next to her - and her married sister sat with her new husband selling raffle tickets.

Of course these events are successful. During the planning, execution and enjoyment of the events, families are doing the work together. They’re learning together. And they’re having fun while they do something wonderful for everyone who attends — in addition to the young woman who’ll benefit from the dollars raised.

What an inspirational system they have for event-planning: Growing a servant’s heart.

What a remarkable way to pass the torch.

Other torch-passers:
Looking Toward Heaven - That’s my girl
We are THAT Family - Who will I be?

What does passing the torch mean to you? Is it teaching? Passing traditions? Or good news about youth? Join us each week for Pass the Torch Tuesday.Former PTT posts.

I’ve recently shared good news about youth and the value of youth empowerment here and here. The following bloggers also illustrated the strong and positive influence adults have on youth.

Gina at Where’s the Sun writes about Disabled Villains. Her post fits perfectly with this theme — it’s about the importance of disability awareness, perceptions of others with disabilities and a group of courageous teens that are lobbying NJ state lawmakers to get disability awareness training for all students mandated into the K-12 curriculum of public schools.

Lisa at Just Read! writes how Generation Y will change the world. She describes her pride in her AP students, saying, “This week, I’m witnessing Gen Y’s productivity in action, and I am humbled by what they can do when turned loose.”

What it’s like on the inside shares the real story about standards-based grading. She explains her shift in philosophy, sharing a story from this year, “The kid made some bad choices, to be sure. But he had a school applied punishment for that. Why should I kick him with a grade, too?”

Genny at My Cup 2 Yours writes a beautiful tribute entitled, A teacher is… She poetically defines the numerous ways people serve as teachers, writing, “A teacher is someone who reaches out in a way that inspires you to be a better person and to reach out too.”

Scholastic Scribe shares a poignant story entitled, A Day for Daddies, Daughters and Grandbabies. She writes, “Grandpa’s stories shaped my childhood. My sister and I huddled over the checkerboard (of course, Grandpa let us win) while we listened to his tales.”

An Aspiring Educator ponders a dismaying assignment, in Was I Racist in the 4th Grade? She writes, “I can’t expect young students have a culturally sensitive perspective on the first day of class. That being said, assignments and the classroom environment influence the cultural sensitivity of students.”

There were also other education carnival entries on themes other than empowerment:

Learn Me Good presents Get Caught Reading!

The Core Knowledge Blog suggests creating a Hippocratic Oath for Teachers. There’s a prize for the best oath.

Larry Furlazzo shares excellent web resources for teaching history.

Ratio Studiourm shares a thoughtful post about paradigm shifts in education.

Assistive Principles laments the wicked week of AP testing.

Reject Society describes how a professor proposes civil responsibility in place of education.

Custom Essays shares tips on tackling University coursework.

Joanne Jacobs writes about how some teachers are defending a death hoax, where teens were tricked into believing their friends had been killed.

Why Homeschool presents a thorough discussion about Improving public schools by changing school size.

MatthewKTabor.com writes The Debate: WaPo’s Jay Mathews vs. Two Million Minutes’ Bob Compton on CNBC.

Let’s Play Math presents the Mosaic Tile Mystery.

Bellringers presents The Simple Life, Tasty Shrimp and Warning Flags.

Successful Teaching writes about a disturbing videotape prank.

Last week’s well-organized carnival was hosted at Learn Me Good. Where’s the Sun is poised to host next week. Check for updates at The Education Wonks for information about future carnivals. Thank you all for participating!

I host regular giveaways for parents and educators. The current contest is for the book Picture Perfect. Please sign up for free updates by email or feed reader. I will never spam you or give out your address.

(To read all the posts about empowerment, please go to the Empowerment category page.)

Empowerment can mean many different things.

To families on Supernanny, empowerment is learning to use the tools that stabilize their homes. To oppressed women in foreign lands, empowerment is embracing an opportunity to make a choice or participate in government. To youth, empowerment is knowing someone’s listening to their ideas and recognizing them as valuable members of society.

Whether we’re mayors, teachers, neighbors or parents, we all have roles to play in empowering youth. We do it — or don’t do it– in most interactions we have with young people.

On Pass the Torch, I write frequently about how young people take initiative and accomplish outstanding things (case in point- Heather Wilder — you can still vote for her through July 25.) There are countless examples of youth doing great things, raising money for charity, or making connections for those who can’t.

But empowering youth is also the small, daily opportunities adults have with young people, to ask their opinions, listen to their ideas, teach them new skills or even follow their lead. Each interaction like this helps kids to find their own voices, to figure out their strengths, and to pursue what inspires them.

In the course of writing the book, Empowering Youth: How to Encourage Young Leaders to Do Great Things, I had the opportunity to interview dozens of inspiring people. One of the most memorable quotes for me, was shared by Julia Hampton, United Way Youth Initiative Coordinator:

Empowerment is having confidence because someone has spoken it into you.

It’s the track coach that gives the pep talk to push through the harmless, but uncomfortable side-ache. It’s the dad that helps his son prepare to confront a friend by role-playing the conversation. It’s the teacher that notices a student’s strength in writing and encourages her to submit an essay. It’s the business owner that says “yes” to the kid who asks to place a food drive box in the entry. It’s the neighbor that sends her kids to a neighborhood book club to support the 11-year-old who’s organizing it.

It’s every day seeing children, just as we see adults. It’s recognizing their lack of experience or education doesn’t mean their input isn’t valid.

And it’s a willingness to concede that every once in a while…

…their insight is better than our own.

My book, Empowering Youth: How to Encourage Young Leaders to Do Great Things, will soon be available from Search Institute Press.

Do you have a story about kids that make you proud, or adults who are passing the torch? Please let me know and I’ll spread the word on Pass the Torch Tuesday.Former PTT posts.

I’ll be hosting the Carnival of Education next week! While I look forward to reading all the entries, I plan to highlight posts fitting the following theme:

“Good news about youth and the adults who empower them.”

So if you have some good news to share — even small-scale celebrations — please post it on your blog for the carnival next Wednesday, June 18 (deadline for submissions Tuesday, June 17, 7 PM CST.) If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few examples:

Passing the Torch in Texas
Piggy-Bank Philanthropists
Bookworm Wednesday Makes the Press

For more information about the Carnival of Education, please visit The Education Wonks. To submit a post, please follow this link.

Here’s the button code, if you would like to announce this carnival:

<a href=”http://2passthetorch.com/2008/06/10/carnival-of-education-here-next-week/” title=”Carnival of Education”><img src=”http://2passthetorch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/small-carnival.JPG” alt=”Carnival of Education” /></a>

I host regular giveaways for parents and educators. And current giveaway contests include the books Picture Perfect and Spitfire. Please sign up for free updates by email or feed reader. I will never spam you or give out your address.