Wood choice

I’ve been asked by my church to make some wood name tags for a family camp we have coming up in October. I have no problem cutting them and drilling holes but I’m wondering about the wood. I’ve got a hickory tree in my yard and if I looking around the neighborhood I could probably find a maple or birch that might be willing to donate a limb or two. I’m wondering though how green wood would work. The thought is to ask people to decorate their name tags with magic markers and I’m not sure if green wood would be a problem for the markers. Would I be better off looking through neighbors firewood piles (don’t have one myself). Also, I’m thinking maple or hickory or other closed grain wood would work best for the markers. Would you agree?

Here is a link to picture of what I’m talking about….(sorry I can’t post pictures from work)

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRdD2FIt2nq0ncfZ0Abn_JaOdEEhfESPDe6R6BaGSMjOTsWWc8XPQ

-- Dad to 5, Son of The One