Want to show others how to make balloon or kite maps? Need help mapping a large site or doing long-term mapping? Want to start a local chapter of balloon mappers?

Many PLOTS folks have led workshops; use this page to exchange advice on how to organize and run a balloon mapping workshop.

First steps

• Compile a list of emails of local interest and say hello
• Figure out a good day (preferably morning for low wind) to meet. (try using a Doodle)
• Ask people what equipment they can bring: not just balloon mapping gear but cameras, gps, maps. If you're mapping on the water, ask if anyone has a boat!

The night before

• Checklists!
• Print enough illustrated balloon mapping guides in the right language if it exists

Workshop day

• Hand around a notepad to sign newcomers up on the mailing list
• Some people like to start by showing MapKnitter so that participants know how the images will be processed ahead of time. Sometimes by the end of the day everyone's too tired to break out a laptop and start stitching images.

Followup

• Be sure to upload and share the best of the images freely (i.e. under an open license) with your new colleagues. Contact team@publiclaboratory.org to find a place to host them on the PLOTS site (like MapMill.org)