We have had a terrific time hosting and sending travelers.  For us it has been more about the fun of it, although we have learned a lot, especially about our own state!  Many travelers participate for educational purposes and learn geography, civics, map reading, writing skills, photography, art skills, journaling and usually history. 

Some things we have learned along the way:

• I would have two maps, one for when we return from somewhere and one showing who we hosted from where.
• If we hosted a flattie and are not reciprocating, I would look up their city on a map and read about their state in the encyclopedia, that way we have a better understanding of where our visitor came from.
• If you have a digital camera, take LOTS of pictures!  It doesn't matter if you are doing just everyday things, we can learn much from each other's daily events.  You can make a CD of pictures, get some printed out, post them on your site, email them, and/or make a digital scrapbook.
• If you don't have a digital camera, please take photos anyway and get some developed to send home.
• Remember to jot things down often as it will help when you are compiling your travelers journal.
• Take your traveler EVERYWHERE!  I don't know how many times we forgot our traveler at home.  It was so disappointing to be doing something fun and not have the traveler with us.  We forgot him when we went to Valleyfair, the Minnesota State Fair, when our baby was born, at Christmas, a birthday party...  how sad.
• Take a picture of your traveler BEFORE you send him/her out.  You may never see it again and it would be nice to remember which traveler it was that you lost.  I take a picture of our departing flattie next to the addressed envelope he/she will be traveling in, that way I also have another record of where it is heading.
• Pick up brochures and pamphlets everywhere you go, even the grocery store, take-out menus, any little thing that gives insight to your family, your experiences and your city.
• Be sure to laminate your traveler to make it sturdier and a bit water resistent.
• Email back and forth between host and traveler now and then, just to keep in touch.  This is especially important when it has been a while since your traveler has been gone.
• Please try to get your traveler home within a month, two weeks is probably even better.  Although I tend to keep our guest about 6-8 weeks, oops!
• Have links and information about your hometown on your computer so it will be handy to print out.  I also have a short biography of our family to send with our flatties so they will know a bit about our family.
• I also like to have maps, postcards, and brochures on hand, in case I forget to pick up new ones
• Send home a family snapshot, this is even more special if the flat traveler is in the photo.
• If you are flat traveling via a Yahoo group, you will have to be VERY persistent to send and receive travelers.  I have found that not much happens if all you do is post to the message area.

Do you have any tips or ideas to share?

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