We’re heading back to Camp for the Nerd Games 2026 Summer season!
The summer season will run from July - September. Some Camp activities require sign up in order to receive specific supplies in the mail. Camp packages will ship in early June to ensure they’re received prior to the start of the season. In order for that timeline to work, now is the time to sign up and submit your requests!
I’m streamlining by using a collection form this year, instead of requiring a hundred different PMs. The form includes details about what’s available and any related requirements.
The deadline to submit your request form is SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2026 @ 11:59 PM central, so be sure to do it ASAP!
I know! I can’t believe it’s already time again. I heard from the survey that there were probably 1-2 too many things happening at Camp last year. I’m planning this year to be just a smidge more chill, so hopefully it will require less recovery, LOL!
Hey Y’all! The collection form is working so well for Camp, I’m wondering if anyone would object to using a form to claim season prizes instead of all the PMs? What do you think? I think it would definitely streamline my process and help eliminate errors I have here and there!
Yay! Thanks, everyone! I’m actually really excited about this update!
Prize Claim Change
Pins and other prizes will now be claimed through a consolidated collection form, where you can just check off the prizes you’re claiming each season. You can still do rolling claims (by editing your form) as you complete Events. It will be easier for me to keep track of things, and will be less work for you, too! You can find the link in the “Claim Your Prize” section under each Event.
Note: The prize claim forms will ask for an email address - that is because I set the forms to be editable, so you can return to it or change your claims. A copy of your form will be sent to your provided email so you have the link to edit it, if you need or want. I did that because I know a lot of folks like to submit claims as they go so they don’t forget, and I’d like to keep each person’s claims to one form, if possible. I’m not saving the email addresses and won’t use them for anything - it’s just so you have access to your form.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this change!
So, I have a question I haven’t seen asked before. My kids saw me participate in the Winter nerd games, and were jealous. They want to participate (and earn their own pins/prizes) in the nerd games too. But they are too young to have their own Lettuce Craft accounts (older child is 12, younger is 9). Would it be possible for them to join themselves if I clearly post which projects are by who under my account? Or do I tell them they will just have to wait until they are 13 and old enough to join Lettuce Craft on their own? It’s totally fine either way, I’m all for protecting kids and internet safety, they would just love an outlet to share their arts and crafts, and @LovelyMiss really knocked it out of the park with the amazing goodies for the Winter games!
I’m going to start off by saying that I’m really really not trying to sound heartless or anti-kid. Truly. … but a huge part (if not all of) the fun of the Nerd Games and especially summer camp, for me personally at least, is/was being able to get excited about doing a thing that’s often only reserved for kids. Kids who are currently kids can join activities and classes where adults aren’t allowed. Kids can go to summer camp. So this is tricky for me personally.
I’m not one of those people who believes we should create adults-only spaces where kids are not allowed. Personally, I think that too much of life in our current society is segragated and departmentalized by age groups, which can end up causing a whole bunch of issues with communication/exculsion/inqccessibility/etc.
BUT it sounds like a big part of what your kids want to participate in is the earning of physical prizes, which is mostly ehat gives me pause.
As someone who donated a prize last season, and who is planning on donating a prize(s) for the raffle this season, I’m honestly not sure how I feel about a nine-year-old participating. I don’t have a lot of expendable income at all currently, but I wanted to contribute somehow because @LovelyMiss has been providing prizes and a whole lotta time out of her own heart to make these craftalongs fun for us. None of this is free.
I’m sure other people might feel differently, and I don’t expect many people to share their thoughts here publicly, (I’m even scared to type this here, because I don’t want to ruffle any festhers) but I personally would provide prizes for my own kids on the side if they wanted to participate in the challenges, etc. I think it changes the vibe when kids suddenly appear in an online space.
edit to add: I’m not trying to speak for Ashley AT ALL, and she is the provider/coordinator of most of the physical prizes here.
It’s also possible people would be happy/willing to offer lrizes specifically for kids too. I’m honestly curious to hear what others think about this.
That’s so sweet that your kids are interested in being creative and I’m so glad you all like the prizes! At minimum, all participants in the Nerd Games need to have their own LC accounts. I also do consider and create it as a space for adults to play, since we don’t get many of those! I’m also going to invite you to just enjoy something for yourself!! I know @LindyBlues also knows something about kids being jealous of her pins, lol!
@HeroicHatchling - What if they did concurrent challenges with you as a family and you picked out prizes with them they can work toward? The challenges could be inspired by nerd games but specific to your family and tailored to your kids. When you post your challenges, they could have some pics featuring their efforts as well or the projects could be shared in the Little Buds thread @megwell noted.
If YOU set the prizes they can be whatever you want - so an experience or time together rather than a physical thing. Maybe a game night where they get to pic the games or a dance party where eveyone has to dance like crazy to a chosen song. We like to do experiential and family rewards for my son whenever possible. Some of his are: pick what I cook for dinner, game night, pick a movie for movie night, watch 10 minutes of funny cat videos togehter, extra time before bed, feed any pet a treat.
Thanks for the perspectives and replies! I totally respect it being an adults only place, and will tell my kids they need to be old enough to have an account to participate! We are no strangers to age limits…we’ve encountered them for many in person classes.
Just for the record, I think the motivations may have come across a bit differently than intended, and the comments helped me talk to my kids and find out what they were really wanting. My children would ideally love a place to share their work with other artistic kids (and adults) and have community and encouragement. It is tricky (and complicated) to find safe spaces for kids on the internet, and having shared kid/adult spaces is also tricky. Also navigating the use of screens and forums is a thing, and it is fine that Lettuce Craft is not the appropriate venue for that. I can certainly share the art challenges with them privately at home as inspiration, which will still be fun. @megwell Thanks for pointing out the fridge, I will see if they would like to share over there.
And @lovelymiss yes, I definitely have a hard time taking time and space for my own interests and hobbies without feeling guilty about not including the family. That is something I should probably work on. Not everything has to be for everyone. I truly appreciate the space and community you have created here. It is amazing.
Sorry if I upset anyone, it was genuinely not my intention. My kids just saw how great y’all are and wanted to be a part of it. It is a testament to how kind and creative this community is that even a preteen thinks everyone is awesome!
One other suggestion (we’d need to clear with the swap mods) back on The Site That Shall Not Be Named, there was the occasional kids swap where members’ kids would be partnered and do a swap together. My daughter did that twice and loved it. The parents were still there to make sure deadlines were met and things got done, but it was the kids crafting for one another. Might be worth proposing in the swap suggestions thread and a good way for them to share their love of craft with other kids.
The form includes details about what’s available and any related requirements.
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I know