“It’s time for collaborative core skills, everyone!!”

At the end of their Game Design Quest, the ELS heroes have proven themselves to not only be game designers, but more like game changers. Throughout the quest, although they were inspired by many existing games of chance, strategy, and skill, they did not back down from the challenge of creating original games. And they did all this not for a grade or a reward or even a badge, but just for their love of learning. Even as they prepared for their exhibition, many heroes shared that what they would really like their families to walk away with after the exhibition is that learning is more important than having fun, and that learning is actually fun!

The heroes definitely changed the face of the game, thought outside the box, literally, as they transformed recycled cardboard boxes into games that engaged families and friends during the exhibition. Many parents and grandparents expressed how impressed they were to see what the heroes were able to create out of their own imaginations. Because the heroes had the freedom to create their games without restrictions or limitations, many of the games they created exceeded adult expectations. Over and over again, empowered with the freedom to make their own choices, the heroes prove to be capable of more than what is expected of them. They have definitely provided evidence that they are not just capable of playing the game, but their goal is to change the game.

The heroes did not stop proving to be game changers in just the Game Design Quest, but even in their Christmas Variety Show as well. With the freedom to direct the show themselves, they demonstrated that they are more than capable of producing a show that would bring so much joy to their families. Because their performances were created out their own joys in singing and dancing to songs and choreography of their own choice, their performances evolved into a show like no other. In just less than three weeks, the heroes gave the audience a Christmas show they would never forget. One grandma said this was the best Christmas show she had ever seen. Another mom requested that this be the start of a Christmas tradition, otherwise it would be a very sad Christmas without the Journey Academy Christmas Variety Show.

Week 3 Dec 10-14, 2018	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Bible verse	1 Tim 2:12 … that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness What does the Bible say we need to live peaceful live? Do you believe this is true?	1 Tim 2:3-4 This is good and pleases God our savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. How do we come to a knowledge of the truth? What would you say to someone who disagrees with what you believe is true?	1 Tim 2:5 There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, Christ Jesus How would you convince someone who believes in many gods that there is only one God?	1 Tim 2:6 Jesus gave himself as ransom for all people. What would you say to Jesus knowing that he has come to save you?	1 Tim 2:8 Pray lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing What strategies have helped you resolve conflicts without anger or disputes?
Questions about Christmas	What special message did the angels bring?	Who is emmanuel?	Where was Jesus born?	How did St. nicholas become santa claus?	ES worship Game Buddies
Relaunch Exhibition planning questions	What is most important when pitching your game to customers? The purpose of the game or how to play the game?	If you were to make anything in the world right now to share with others, what would it be?	How can we keep parents engaged and focused on the Exhibition the whole time?	What is one thing I can do to ensure excellence during this Exhibition?	What would you do next time to make the Game design quest and exhibition better?
Close	Where do you need to spend most of your energy: your pitch or your game?	What else do you need to do to get ready to show your work to the public?	What is your role during the exhibition and how will you contribute to the success of the exhibition?	What is the most important lesson for your family to walk away with after the exhibition?	Cole and annabelle celebration

Upcoming Quest: Apologetics

Week 1 What is apologetics? What do you believe?	Week 2 Who is God?	Week 3 Who is Jesus?	Week 4 Who is the Holy Spirit?	Week 5 How do you know that the Bible is true?	Week 6 How will you share what you believe?
Week 1 What do you believe?	Wed 1/2 What are YOUR questions about YOUR faith?	Thurs 1/3 Where will you find the answers?	Fri 1/4 Why is it important to find answers to your questions?

Our overarching question for this year is, How does a hero balance faith and works? They had a wonderful discussion about the importance of balance, the temptation to want to keep playing and/or play a game with bad content, the strain gaming can cause in your relationships with people and God, and how to recognize and give thanks to God for creating FUN. This led to a beautiful reminder of the Greatest Designer of All – our Creator and Maker – God. He is the one who created us in His image and created our minds to design, think, wonder, and develop games that are fun, educational, and bring us together. A few heroes shared they could see themselves becoming a future game designer.

Yesterday was full of FUN at the Game Maker Exhibition! That was the first goal the expert game maker gave the heroes last week – to create a game that is fun – and that is what they did. Thank you all for coming out and playing the games they designed. The heroes reflected and shared what their greatest challenges and greatest rewards were during the past three weeks. Here were some of their remarks:

1. The high school math was hard, but we kept at it. That was challenging and rewarding.
2. Coming up with a game was pretty easy. I find I come up with games a lot outside of Journey.
3. It was difficult to making instructions.
4. I knew how to play my game, but putting it into words or a video was difficult.
5. It was neat to learn about probability. I already used it playing Exploding Kittens at home.
6. Though this quest was about creating a game, it was way harder than I was expecting it to be.

Below are Game Maker Exhibition pictures.

Devotions took on a different look this quest, and the feedback was positive. At a check-in, one hero shared, “Devotion time I felt lost as to what to work on or do. This way of devotions gets me excited, and there is purpose to what I am learning about. I don’t feel lost. I feel like I am learning while creating a special gift.” The heroes worked hard on their ornaments and devotional book. May they be a blessing to you and your family.

Have you asked your hero:

1. What they were most nervous about for the Exhibition?
2. How many Hero Bucks they spent at the Hero Buck Store?
3. What they bought at the Hero Buck Store?
4. What the Bible Verse for this quest was?
5. What was the most difficult part of the Escape Room?
6. What challenge their Squad Group created for the ELS Friday Challenge?
7. What some of the items were in the Mystery Box today?

Christmas Variety Show

The ES solving clues to escape the room!

The heroes at Journey were fortunate to have two wonderful hero talks for the Game Maker Quest this past week. The first was Dr. Scott Nicholson, Professor of Game Design at Wilfrid Laurier University in Brantford, Ontario. Over video chat, Dr. Nicholson shared how he gets inspired by looking at the world around him in order to create fun games. He informed the heroes the first thing he tells his college students is, “There are three main parts for creating a game. A game should be:

1. fun,
2. have a goal or objective, and have
3. clear rules.”

The final piece of advice he provided was to make sure to TEST – play – the game. That’s what the heroes this afternoon. They went around and played one another’s game. Once they were done with the game, they gave critiques. Who knew testing could be so much fun? These heroes gave great feedback to one another in order to better their instructions and games.

Video chatting with Dr. Nicholson, a professional game designer.

What an incredible experience to learn from him.

The second hero talk was with Mr. Bob Savage. He is a member of the Michigan Chess Association, and at the age of 16 he was the #1 chess player in the nation for his age group. Mr. Bob discussed how chess has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years, and how it is not a game of probability; rather, it is a game of strategy. A couple of ES heroes had the opportunity to play against him following the talk. It was a memorable day as he provided guidance and pointers to the hero chess players.

Mr. Bob – the chess professional!

All week, the heroes have used math, science, written communication, oral communication, testing and refining of their games due to feedback from heroes, as well as providing feedback for other created games. Through all of this, the heroes have demonstrated great determination and perseverance to design a game that provides fun (motivation), has an objective, and has clearly stated rules. The heroes look forward to welcoming more game testers at the upcoming Game Expo Exhibition.

Heroes reading instructions to games they have never played before,

along with heroes designing their own games.

Have you asked your hero:

1. About their game?
2. What kind of game is it?
3. What the goal of their game is?
4. What the rules of their game are?
5. Ways other heroes shared their game could improve?
6. About the new system of checking out JA library books?
7. Which hero talk they enjoyed the most this week?
8. About how much fun the Elf Quote-Along was?

Elf Quote-Along was a big hit!