FEBRUARY 23, 2004

WEB LOG -- CAMPAIGN '04

The Toy Fair's Political Playthings

Wanna bop a Bush punching bag? Or fool around with a talking Teddy Roosevelt action figure? You're in luck
Walking up and down the aisles recently at New York's annual Toy Fair, I saw some clever new products that'll be coming soon to a store near you -- or will be available on the Internet. They range from whimsical to educational, parody to serious, inexpensive to pricey. Ironically, many of these toys celebrate American democracy, and they're made in China.

Sure, political toys aren't going to outsell Harry Potter, Barbie (see BW Online, 2/17/04, "Behind the Barbie-Ken Breakup"), Yu-Gi-Oh!, or the latest holiday kids' craze. But manufacturers are betting that a market exists for political toys, games, and specialty items aimed at both children and grown-ups.

The best educational product of Campaign '04 is the Patriot Challenge, a new, high-quality board game that should make learning about history, politics, and public issues fun for the whole family. It's a bit pricey ($34.99 suggested retail) but worth it. It has more than 650 quiz cards covering three levels of expertise: elementary-school (age 10 and up), middle school, and high school/college. As many as six players can join in, and parents are encouraged to team up with their kids.

STUDIOUSLY NONPARTISAN.  The graphics are excellent, and the Patriot Challenge uses U.S. postage stamps to illustrate many of the topics covered, from Texas independence to rock 'n' roll. (It has been licensed by the U.S. Postal Service and is available on the Post Office Web site.

Bored? Try These Board Games!
By Rachel Laskow

This new game will test your knowledge of America.

Celebrate America with this board game that takes you on a journey through time. Patriot Challenge uses reproductions of U.S. Postage stamps to teach you about America. Each stamp represents a person, event, or cultural aspect that influenced America. For example, the Boston Tea Party, the California Gold Rush, and rock 'n' roll are featured on stamps. Cards also test your knowledge of American history. For six points, answer this question: In 1969, the United States put the first man on the moon. What words did the astronaut Neil Armstrong say to the world as he took his first "moon walk"?

Neil Armstrong said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

January 2004

Games for a Long Winter’s Night
By Jane Schneider

Celebrate America

Hone your history knowledge with Patriot Challenge. Developed with the help of classroom teachers, this Trivial Pursuit-style board game combines history facts with colorful reproductions of more than 250 U.S. postage stamps. The object is to make it to the year 2000 by answering questions that take you through a historical time line. Some require direct responses, others, like “Why should a citizen vote?” prompt group discussion. If you’re looking for a game that embraces our nation’s colorful history, Patriot Challenge provides hours of fun and challenge for the whole family. The game is carried in the Smithsonian Institute and is available online at the U.S. Post Office’s online postal store.

• for ages 10+ • Patriot Challenge $34.99 • www.patriotchallenge.com

January 2004

Take Note!
by Claire Yezbak Fadden

Patriot Challenge

Want to test your knowledge of U.S. History and postage stamps? Now you can play Patriot Challenge, a board game that uses reproductions of U.S. Postal Service stamps to help tell the story of our nation and test game players’ knowledge of U.S. history from past to present.

Patriot Challenge is the first game about America to feature colorful stamp art from the U.S. stamp collection. Included among the 300+ miniature works of art in the game are those images that highlight significant events in American history including, the Pilgrims arriving on the mayflower, the Boston Tea Party, the Signing of the Declaration of Independence and the moon landing.

The game focuses players, ages 10 and up, on important and interesting information about America. The game card questions are based on nationwide curriculum standards and game play promotes teamwork, freedom of expression, tolerance and responsible citizenship.

To purchase The Patriot Challenge Game ($34.99 plus shipping), visit the USPS Postal store at http://shop.usps.com or www.partiotchallege.com

December 15, 2003

New game focuses on stamps and citizenship

By Wayne L. Youngblood

James Madison was one of our Founding Fathers. What does the term Founding Fathers mean?

If you know the answer to this question, chances are good you'll do well playing the Patriot Challenge game. This new game, being marketed by its creator, makes extensive use of United States postage stamps and would be the perfect holiday gift, either for other collectors or to introduce someone to our great hobby.

I don't typically use this space to promote products, but I was very impressed with what I saw when recently contacted by the company. In addition, Patriot Challenge Inc. signed an agreement Nov. 24 with the U.S. Postal Service whereby USPS will begin offering the Patriot Challenge on its online Postal Store.

The Patriot Challenge board game is the brainchild of Chris Nelson, who is a former sales and marketing executive. In a telephone interview with Stamp Collector, Nelson briefly told the story behind the invention of the game.

Nelson, who is an avid gamer, usually creates a game for her annual Superbowl party for those who aren't particularly interested in football.

After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the resulting renewed interest in patriotism, Nelson felt a U.S. citizenship-related game would be an appropriate theme for her 2002 party.

The game her guests played that year was based on questions and answers contained in the book, How To Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test. This booklet not only contains the basic knowledge that all immigrants need to know to become  American citizens, but is information all natural-born U.S. citizens should know.

Nelson's friends loved the game so much they suggested she think about developing it for mass distribution and appeal.

Working closely with educators of all levels, Nelson began work on the game, which was officially unveiled in February at the annual Toy Fair, held this year in New York City. Patriot Challenge went into full production in September. The game's content is based on nationwide curriculum standards.

In a nutshell, the Patriot Challenge game is set up similar to various trivia games, but the content consists of real and important information.

Players begin the game on stamp No. 1, representing the activities of American Indians during the 1200s, progressing through the year 2000. (The first player to reach the Millennium is the winner!)

In all, more than 300 different U.S. stamps are pictured either on the game board or on the cards, which are set up in three levels of difficulty. White cards are worth two points, blue cards four, and red cards six. Various bonus questions are worth different point values.

The Patriot Challenge game may be played by people of all ages, from 10 to adult (you'd be surprised how much you don't know), but it will likely appeal most to those interested in civics and history and those between elementary school and college age.

Perhaps what I like most about the game is the interaction it promotes between players, each of whom will learn from one another while playing. Many questions ask for opinions and personal examples, allowing players to share their knowledge and experience.

Strangely enough, Nelson is not a stamp collector. When asked how she arrived at the decision to use stamps as the game's visual vehicle, she responded that is just occurred to her one day while she was waiting in line in the post office.
"I was standing there, looking at all the posters,' Nelson said, 'when it occurred to me that stamps are all about America. It was perfect."

She immediately began searching for appropriate stamps and became a licensee with the USPS for those images not in the public domain.

The resulting game is not only visually appealing (at least to this stamp collector), but informative and fun to play.

The Patriot Challenge game is $34.95, and is available so far in the gift shops of the Smithsonian Institution, through the USPS online postal store or direct from the company (it can be ordered online). For more information, or to order the game, go to www.patriotchallenge.com

December, 2003

Check It Out! Holiday Hits

By Jean Sheff

If you’re busy making your list and checking it twice, you might want to consider some of these homegrown local resources that will make the holidays a little saner.

Patriot Challenge Game, a new educational board game designed to make learning about U.S. history and government fun, was created by Christine Nelson, a former Westchester resident and Pace University graduate. The game, suitable for ages 10 and up, features stamp art from the U.S. stamp collection. Nelson asked teachers from her roots here in Westchester to contribute questions and content used in the game. Created for family interaction, the game can be played on three levels: elementary, junior and adult. The game cost $34.99 and is available online at www.patriotchallenge.com, through the United States Postal Web site at http://shop.usps.com or by phone at 949-837-7444

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Other Toys of Note

These toys didn't make our Top 15 list, but we thought you might want to know what our testers thought of them.

Video Now. A black-and-white hand-held video system. Kids liked that it was portable ...
Battling Tops. The name says it all. Kids liked the idea...
Binocular Cam. Kids liked that they could zoom in...
Patriot Challenge. This game seems a natural in Washington, and kids liked the history part of it....

Great Picks for Holiday Gifts

By Steve Smith

Take a long look at the list of these classic toys and games and you'll find a few common elements: Tinkertoys, Barbie doll, Slinky, Twister, Monopoly, Sit 'N Spin

The first common thread is that not one of these toys or games requires electricity or batteries. The second is that not one of them is tied to any other external entertainment element such as a TV program or a movie. And finally, not one of them is purposely educational.

Yet, these toys have withstood the test of time because they exist not to support any other purchase or to prompt any other marketing behavior such as acting as a bridge to future trends. They exist solely for the user to have fun.

Perhaps fun is the theme this year. At a time when many kids have to pass through metal detectors on the way to class and when they seem to be learning algebra in the first grade, perhaps we owe them some pure, unadulterated fun. Still, watch out for the TV shows that accompany a few of the gifts. As we live in a work world of multitasking, we live in a retail world of multimarketing.

So, here is our list of suggestions, culled from the minds of the Toy Industry Association, our visits to local toy stores and the unfiltered opinions of a couple of kids. Yes, you'll see some education sprinkled in here and there, but when you do it's because it is a well-made, well-executed toy or game. Most of them are just built for the fun of it.

PATRIOT CHALLENGE

This gift is styled after the famous Trivial Pursuit game except that the subject isn't trivial. Developed by a panel of classroom educators from elementary school to college level, children and adults answer questions about U.S. history and life in America and move around a board accordingly. The game is based on nationwide
curriculum standards and helps reinforce what children are learning in school. Patriot Challenge games can be individualized by various grade levels so that kids of different ages can play together. There is even a level for experts, also known as parents. Patriot Challenge reinforces the rich history of our great nation, using vibrant art including reproductions of many classic U.S. postage stamps.
For ages 9 and up. Available at PatriotChallenge.com or by calling 949.837.7444.

Steve Smith is a Costa Mesa resident. He is a regular contributor to OC Family Magazine.

Sunday, November 16, 2003

Simply Fun
Patriot Challenge board game created by Mission Viejo resident.

Patriot Challenge

Here's a board game that comes with a stamp of approval from none other than the U.S. Postal Service.

Patriot Challenge tests your knowledge of American history and provokes thoughtful discussion of our nation's ideals while featuring reproductions of 64 postage stamps that highlight significant people, events and cultural themes.

The game is designed for three to six players, ages 10 and older, and was created by Christine Nelson of Mission Viejo.

Nelson makes up a game every year for the annual Super Bowl party she throws.

Cost is $34.99.

Find the game at the Borders in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, by calling (949) 837-7444, or online at www.patriotchallenge.com and shop.usps.com.

November 7, 2003

Patriot Challenge game makes history fun

BY DENISE I. O'NEAL FAVORITE THINGS

Patriot Challenge is a game that offers children and adults alike the opportunity to retain important tidbits of American history while providing hours of fun. Created by Chris Nelson, the game was inspired by the wave of American pride that swept across the country after the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Nelson, whose game was devised to provide entertainment for her annual Super Bowl party, was initially surprised when partygoers told her she should turn her creation into a board game.

The challenge was on, and with no experience in the toy industry or game world, Nelson set about her task. In preparation for her party, Nelson had bought a book that was a study guide for the U.S. citizenship exam, this provided a good start and a strong foundation for what she wanted.

"I didn't want a trivia game," Nelson said. "I wanted to convey important information and accurate historical facts."

Nelson gathered a group of teachers, from grade school to college level, and set about developing Patriot Challenge. It took a year and a half, but Nelson came up with what she feels is a true representation of American history.

"The teachers I worked with prioritized information taught in school. The game will help reinforce what has been learned," said Nelson.

The object of the game is to make it to the year 2000 through a historical time line. Nelson purposely choose to end the game with the year 2000 because, "I wanted the game to end on a high note. I wanted people to concentrate on America's accomplishments."

Not only are there questions with definitive answers, but ones that call for the player's opinion such as "Why should a citizen vote?"

"The game is modeled on the democratic process," said Nelson. I tried to incorporate American values and include questions that provoke thought and require a point of view, which is the hallmark of democracy."

The game has received a stamp of approval from the federal government and is carried in the Smithsonian Institute and at the United States Post Office's online postal store.

"People play games because they like the challenge and many people like educational games and are looking for the type of challenge a game like Patriot Challenge offers," said Nelson.

The suggested retail price is $34.99. For more information, visit www.patriotchallenge.com.

Orange County Business Journal

The Link - a homeschool newspaper

The Link Reviews

Wow! What a game this is! If you are like most of the homeschooling families we know, you LOVE educational or knowledge- expanding board games. And Patriot Challenge is perfect for you/us! This imaginative and thought-provoking game is the brainchild of Christine Nelson, who developed it as a non-football alternative to the 2002 edition of her annual Super Bowl Party, using the questions and answers from the book “How To Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test.” Nelson felt that it contained the basic information all of us should know about our country and coming so soon after 9/11, she felt such a game was very timely. The original living-room version of the Patriot Challenge proved so popular with her Super Bowl quests that within two weeks Nelson was well on the way to converting it to the present excellent and fun board game version!

She took the prototype to the Post Office to gain approval to use the postage stamps for the board and she also enlisted the aid of a panel of English and History teachers and a professor to provide accurate answers to her proposed questions. After that, Nelson had a third party review the game for accuracy and continuity. After his feedback was added, she produced the final version of Patriot Challenge.

The object of the game is to be the first to move one’s token around the colorful board (consisting of an array of numbered replicas of postage stamps that serve as the movement spaces) and pass the year 2000, by correctly answering questions from 650 question cards (with over 1,000 questions) divided into three decks – each bearing a different point value based upon degree of difficulty of the question. For instance, the Red cards are worth 6 points and contain the most difficult questions, i.e: “You are part of a citizens’ group that is planning a peaceful demonstration to protest the building of a maximum security prison near your neighborhood. What advanced planning should be done to ensure an effective and peaceful demonstration?” The Blue cards are worth 4 points: “This line formally established the boundaries between Pennsylvania and Maryland. Later, it was symbolically used as the dividing line between slave states and free states. Today it is considered the dividing line between Northern and Southern states. What line is it?” and the White cards are worth 2 points each: “Who is the early colonial leader who invented the Franklin stove, bifocals and many other items?” Obviously, this breadth of questions makes the Patriot Challenge a game truly designed for the entire family to participate in and enjoy.

The answers to the questions are found in a 12-page Answer Key whose inside covers also provide a time line for the postage stamps depicted on the playing board. The metal playing tokens are reminiscent of the original Monopoly™ tokens and feature a Statute of Liberty, a tricorner hat (like that worn by the Patriots), a Liberty Bell, an eagle, a miniature Lincoln Memorial and a bust of George Washington.

Our family had a lot of fun playing Patriot Challenge and I can highly recommend it to any family or group of friends who enjoy learning new and useful information while passing warm times, pretzels and chips together around a table. Unlike other “information” games, Patriot Challenge puts a new spin on the element of showing off how “intelligent” one is because many of the questions have multiple answers that require actual original thought, not merely memorized trivia knowledge. If Christine Nelson’s other games are as outstanding as Patriot Challenge I can’t wait to play them and . . . move over Parker Brothers! – Michael Leppert

The Link - a homeschool newspaper

Patriot Challenge - a new twist with a trivia flare. Now we are no longer learning useless trivia, however, but learning fundamental, key components to our nation's history, as well as learning about responsible citizenship, the democratic process and what exactly it means to say "I Am An American!".

This game offers a fresh, new look, into the world of American History as well as current issues and culture, and uses a beautiful look to bring across its message.
Patriot Challenge uses stamp art to create a rich, meaningful experience. The clues and keys to many of the answers lie within the stamps themselves. A magnifying glass is used to focus in and find the answers needed, by examining the stamps closely, as well as the gameboard.

One of the nice attractions to this game, is the fact that it has 3 levels of cards for play. This enables children/students/family members of all ages and grade levels to play together and learn as they go.

This game embarks on the mission of creating scenerios to think, communicate, debate and learn each time the box is opened. One cannot play by simply moving their game piece, but must be an active participant within the game, making it a more in depth and rich learning experience.

If you are studying Government, US History, Citizenship etc. this would be an excellent non text addition to your curriculum. By adding a game such as this, one widens the educational experience and strengthens the grasp within the students. When a child has a hands on and FUN way to learn the key elements within their studies, they will remember the information much more readily.

Take a moment to look over this game. It is one you will be so glad you did. Use it for all studies pertaining to the USA, or for a night of meaningful fun at home.

We LOVE games in our family & Patriot Challenge is excellent educational family fun!

Patriot Challenge is a family board game, with a very unique 'twist' to it, as it is based on United States postage stamp art to lead you through the game (and American History!), it calls for personal opinions and sharing personal experiences. Players will learn the 'story of America', past to present, through its historical events, famous people, American culture and the experiences/opinions of those playing the game!

Patriot Challenge has won numerous awards and goes beyond the 'average' game. Patriot Challenge calls players to not only come up with correct trivia type answers, but brings family & friends together, to explore America together,and apply their knowledge & skills in discussions and demonstrations. This is a wonderful game to play with grandparents or great grandparents too, as it truly becomes a 'new game' when you play it with different people, as personal opinion counts in this game and opens some great family discussions! Patriot Challenge calls us to use teamwork and respect other?s points of view. This is very unique for a board game!!

The questions in Patriot Challenge are divided into three educational 'levels' which are represented by color coded cards. With 650 question cards, high quality playing pieces, the call for personal opinions and stories, it is never the same game twice. It makes a great gift; not to mention a special addition to the family homeschool.

Patriot Challenge is FUN & LEARNING at the same time, always a bonus in this homeschool family! I would HIGHLY recommend Patriot Challenge!
-- Product Review by : Lisa Barthuly & Family, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC