A Whole New Woogi World™: A Word to Our Partners

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The U.S. Department of Education recently projected that 35 million children will attend elementary schools in the upcoming 2007-2008 school year. Most will have access to the Internet. Who teaches them to use this vast resource correctly? In reality, many don't receive any instruction at all.

The Internet can teach our children many great things, but unless they are taught to separate the good from the bad, they frequently become addicted to wasteful and dangerous behaviors on the web. Children are now spending less time outside, less time with friends and family, and more time glued to their desktops. Participation in after-school programs and service activities continues to decline—to the detriment of our Families and communities.

Children's Way has stepped up to the plate, and created a solution to educate, motivate, and engage children in using the Internet for good, while also encouraging them to reduce their time on the computer and participate in the real world. Children's Way is doing what most think impossible: they're inspiring kids to exchange many of the addictive uses of the Internet with activities that create balanced living in their community.

Children's Way is a project of the Family Home Foundation—a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to helping kids achieve balanced living as they use the Internet resource positively, build family strength, and serve in the community. Scott Dow, CEO of Children's Way, started the project three years ago. It has since undergone several revisions, evolving into a solution that works best for: children, parents and guardians, teachers, and community `leaders. Surveying the problem, Scott discovered that "there was nothing available to engage a child in learning to use the Internet properly—there was no program for adults to teach this to children." Scott saw this need clearly, and his solution is Woogi World™.

Woogi World™ is a KBOT, otherwise known as a Kid's Balanced Online Trainer. This online world provides an interactive gaming environment which teaches balance, develops character, and engages kids in service in a protected and monitored environment. Children's Way projects that over one million paid subscribers and upwards of five million free users—all children—will use the site within the first year. Unlike The Field of Dreams, Scott Dow didn't just build Woogi World™ and hope that "they would come." Scott has partnered with key players in public and private arenas to ensure their message gets out.

Children's Way felt the public school system was the best place to start. State by state, governors and school districts are endorsing Woogi World™ as an approved program. Learn and Serve, a federally funded organization, is an integral part of their deployment, and an activity provider for schools. America's Promise and The Foundation for a Better Life also play an active role in the cause.

Children's Way is confident this project is the right model for success. Twenty schools participated in the May 2007 beta test. Of the kids who attended a promotional assembly, nearly 60 % joined the program with a parent. More importantly, parent feedback produced a 99% positive rating. And while 99 % of the beta users continue participating, new user registration continues at 1% per week even after the initial beta test. This growth is steady, and it is viral. This is due in no small part to the creative department.

"Here at Woogi World™, we have taken many of the attractions that other Internet and gaming sites use to get kids addicted—and turned them around to our advantage. We blend the stickiness factor of those sites with our own cutting edge technology to create vibrant, interactive content that inspires kids to learn, to grow, and to serve their community." (,)

Even more encouraging is that parents are excited for their children to participate. Parents recognize how Woogi World™ has taken potentially addictive behaviors and turned them into productive activities. Most parents realize their child will be on the Internet. They also understand they won't always be around when their child needs help. Woogi World™ teaches children the dos and don'ts of the Internet, which can be easily supplemented by involved parenting. Woogi World™ gives kids practice for common Internet scenarios and even real-time coaching for those moments when problems arise, all within a safe, controlled environment. One big hit with parents is the Crash and Tell program. This series of activities teaches kids what to do when confronted by inappropriate materials online. Kids can do these activities with a parent or guardian.

It only takes a few moments watching a child use Woogi World™ to see how potently effective edutainment is as a teaching tool. Edutainment uses entertainment as a medium for teaching. Woogi World™ doesn't just entertain and educate—it is an evolutionary step. The program actually motivates kids to apply their learning in life, on their own, with family, and in the community. Directing kids onto a website just to get them off might seem like conflicting objectives, but with the right innovative techniques, Woogi World™ leads kids to a more balanced life, on and offline.

After a first glance, concerned parents will ask what the difference is between Woogi World™ and supremely addictive MMORPG games. MMORPG's are Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games. As the name suggests, players take the roles of their on-screen characters and compete against millions of players in online worlds. These games entice kids to play longer and longer to develop their fictional characters. If you ask any gamers working for Children's Way what the difference is their answers are clear.

"There's a point to it: [KBOTS's teach] relevance to the real world rather than encouraging escapism." (Nick Pasto, Executive Art Director)

"A KBOTS is a supplement to real life and encourages real world activity, it does not replace it." (Justin Jaynes, Developer)

"While an MMORPG is strictly online gaming for entertainment without any meaningful direction or real-life viability, a focal purpose of a KBOTS is to use the Internet to build character and a balanced life." (Jonathan Chan, Chief Architect)

To reach the broadest possible audience, Children's Way offers the program free of charge to any child between ages 5-12. So how does this business model work? By choosing to focus on balance, character and community service, Woogi World provides an opportunity for even the largest U.S. companies to invest their support without compromising the values of either Children's Way or their supporters. The project is not commercial. No product-selling will occur in the virtual environment. As Woogi World™ is coming into public light; the existing buzz to "give back to the community" is turning into an exciting roar. Corporations are joining the mounting momentum to sponsor on and offline activities that these millions of Woogi World™ children will be playing. . Apart from just wanting to help, sponsors recognize the built-in value of acting first to enjoy exclusive sponsorship opportunities in the niche of their choosing. Sponsors are excited to be part of this joint venture. Corporate sponsors kill two birds with one stone; they educate kids to live balanced lives while extending their brand into the community in a positive and proactive manner.

With their corporate sponsors, Children's Way is accomplishing a great thing. They are fighting the webidemic that has gripped our youth by teaching them life balance, character and how to serve in the community. Scott Dow sums this up best:

"As a father of 5 children under the age of 12, I have a personal interest and connection to the problem and solution. I also feel that every other parent or grandparent that is responsible for the teaching of balance, character, and service to their kids will feel the same way. This solution is an absolute must-have tool for every parent and child." (Scott Dow, CEO)