Putting the "Why?" in DIY

We are four whoppin' weeks into our Summer Camp programs, and I am already blown away by the talent and boundless creativity of our campers. This year has brought with it a new format for us (two floors of fun and two separate camps for ages ranges 5-9 and 9-14 years) and so much more fun as the age range has expanded both to the left and the right of previous years' boundaries. As I reflect on the two previous summers, and all of the classes and camps and parties and workshops and other activities that precede this moment, I struggle, no make that giggle, with a mix of pride and.....perplexity.....at the projects that have passed through these colorful doors.

When we come up with a project that has all of the magic ingredients, we call it a "wow".

Wishcraft's Recipe for a "Wow" Project

• Engages the imagination in an open-ended way
• Teaches or practices a creative skill
• Uses recycled/green/safe materials, or just-enough new materials that have been thoughtfully sourced
• Invents a new technique, or combines existing techniques and ideas in a new way
• Optional Variation- It doesn't have to be useful, but this seems to be an extra bonus with the kids. Like grated parmesan cheese on already delicious pasta.

So the reality is, not every project can be a "wow". We try, for certain. But to try means to test and to experiment, and in any experiment there are fixed variables and, well, variable variables. Wobbly variables. Different-age and different-capability variables. Cruddy-instead-of-sunny-weather variables. I-had-so-much-fun-having-a-spontaneous-dance-party, and want to do it again right now, variables. In the controlled environment of the instructor's prototyping and preparation we can get one result, but in the wild.....anything can happen.

Which is why we have our own virtual version of the book Regretsy. We have our Hall of Fame, including many of the projects we've shared with our Facebook, Twitter and Flickr updates this year. And we have our Hall of Shame, but today we will rename that Hall. Hall of Try. Hall of Why? These non-wow projects need a place of honor, too, as they have helped us to hone our own skills and deliver camper and class experiences that leave our new friends excited to come back for more. Can you help us name the Hall of Misfit Projects? C'mon now, fill in the blank: Hall of ___________.