Hi Dan and Michael.
Regarding both posts on camp casting and stuff. Number one, I
have to ask the question: is letting children handle molten metal
wise? I completely agree with Daniel’s concerns, but would even
take it a step further, especially since the ages of the children
involved weren’t mentioned.The 16+ set would probably be fine,
but any younger and you run the risk of someone getting seriously
injured… molten metal is molten metal, it’ll scar permanently
just as easily at 400 degrees than at 1600. Younger kids at camp
are rambunctious and rowdy and probably don’t have the attention
span to do this safely. Just a thought from a concerned person
who has been to camp many, many times, once as a counsellor. 
Second, Re: cuttlefish. The inhalation of cuttlefish dust is
EXTREMELY bad for you (a la paua shell). The amount of exposure
someone might have during a small camp course is pretty
negligible, but to cover your own butt insurancely, invest in
some simple paper/cloth dust masks for the kids. They’ll be cheap
and might get you out of a bind later on, as long as you make the
kids wear 'em.
Not trying to rain on your parade, as it were. I think it’s
really cool to introduce metalwork to young people, and when I’m
an established jeweller, I fully intend to offer workshops to
local high school seniors. I just don’t want to see a fellow
jeweller nailed to the wall legally, especially when he has the
best of intentions.
-Kieran