Global Kids' Online Leadership Program

From August 24 – 26th, 2007, GK staff traveled to Chicago along with Nafiza, Angela and Grace, three exceptional youth leaders from different after-school programs, to share their experience in Teen Second Life on the all-teen machinima panelists. What an amazing experience it was for us! It was my first time to Chicago. The beautiful architecture and the clean wide streets of Chicago made me felt right at home.

Throughout the weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting folks from Linden Lab, representatives from other non-profit organizations doing youth work in Teen Second Life, and teens in Teen Second Life whom I’ve always enjoyed talking and working with but never had the opportunity to meet in-person.

For weeks leading up to SLCC, our teens worked hard in preparation and we were in the middle of wrapping up the five-week long CRC (Convention on the Rights of the Child) Machinima Camp. Everyone was excited for us and was thrilled for the opportunity to share their machinima videos and the fun behind it all. Angela and Nafiza spoke wonderfully and passionately about the Virtual Video Project after-school program, which I co-facilitate and co-developed since last fall. I couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishment. Grace represented the ten CRC machinima campers from around the world, and spoke openly and happily about her experience with the campers and with Global Kids overall. Meeting Mercury Metropolitan, our GK remote intern for the first time, was a highlight of my trip. We have been talking on a weekly basis since last December, and he opened up my eyes to the world of possibilities in TSL as a mentor and a friend. Thank you again to all the teens that make my work worthwhile, enjoyable and ever-growing possible.

I spent some time thinking about what I’d like to share after my trip to Chicago, and I think it comes down to a wonderful quote heard during one of the panels. The community works because of the people. Talking and sharing about my professional experience with others that are new to Second Life or are interested in Global Kids’ work in Teen Second Life, is what I am learning to do each day and each moment. I have met more friendly, helpful, open-minded and wonderful people in Second Life than I ever expected. Putting a face to a voice, an avatar appearance, or an email correspondent is something I will continue to look forward to in my life. The SLCC not only brought together residents of Second Life, either long-term “beta-testers” or brand new “noobs”, but also friends and coworkers and for some even, loving couples.

I want to take this chance to thank the folks at MacArthur Foundation for making this trip possible and my work overall with teens on TSL. I have learned so much from teens in the way they communicate, interact and appreciate each other's work, that I feel humbled to work with them on an everyday basis. I want to thank the folks at Linden Lab, for providing a space to share a community of recreation, education and inspiration for all walks of life.

Thank you to Global Kids for encouraging the next generation to think outside the box, and allowing me to follow.

Until next time,
Tabitha

A few pictures from SLCC:

Furry!