Darby Flats

1. Decide how many Flat Travelers you are going to circulate. We decided on a ridiculous number so we would always have something to do, and we wouldn't be "waiting on" a Flat to return. We also decided to use a photo of a paper doll the girls made. If it gets lost, no big deal, we can just send them another one.

2. Make your flats. See "How To Make a Flat Traveler."

3. Formulate an introduction letter. Tell your host about your family and kids. What do they like? I choose souvenirs that I know the kids will enjoy. Explain why you participate in Flat Traveling. This letter will allow the host to personalize your Flat's visit. If they run short on time or energy, they can at least feel comfortable knowing they've covered what's most important to you!

4. Create your Flat's travel journal. This can be as simple as a piece of paper included and as complicated as creating a brochure in color. I've seen examples of both.

5. Decide if you are going to include emergency postage, or an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope). It is very important to us to get our travel journals back, so we include a return envelope and emergency return postage. We are going to use them to determine statistics and the like. If your Flat is very valuable to you, you may want to do the same. If a family is experiencing financial hardship, it takes the embarrassment out of not being able to return a Flat. I had one family use the emergency postage and include their own so they could send home souvenirs! We didn't mind at all. *Big Grin.*

6. What are you going to do with the souvenirs when they return home? Are you going to scrapbook them, create a digital scrapbook, look over them as a family and then stick them in a drawer? Depending on how many Flats you have circulating, the *stuff* might become overwhelming. Consider it.

A special note for electronic traders-
You can create a file and have the host family print it off. You don't have to worry about a Flat getting lost, and it eliminates some postage. Agree on the specifics before the trade. Is it okay if they e-mail their answers to you from the travel journal? This allows those on a very tight budget to participate as well. Please GO HERE for a pdf of Flat Baxter. If you are not sending souvenirs, this would be completely free! Travel journal answers and photos can be sent through e-mail! How cool is that?