I believe this is a worthwhile exercise. Nothing educates like experience.

The fear is that nefarious hackers would get hold of the site and turn it into a weapon against those using it for training.

Perhaps the community can develop a Hack-O-Matic canned version for download, complete with instructions and scenarios, rather than relying on a third-party hosted environment. Being able to play with it behind closed doors, as it were, would assist many in evolving not only their security practices but their inherent understanding as well.

You have my vote and support in making this a reality.

Regards;

Greg