When we were children most of us played make-believe. One moment we were astronauts exploring the stars and the next we were dinosaurs terrorizing the jungle. We knew that we weren't really astronauts or dinosaurs but in the moment we felt like we were. There was something magical about what we created in that moment. We were both ourselves and something more.
Together, through the use of tabletop roleplaying games, we will create an environment that allows participants to experiment with different roles and identities.
When I construct a game for Level Up WV I include three types of obstacles: social challenges, puzzles, and combat. This gives individual characters the opportunity to showcase their unique abilities, but also creates opportunities for the players to work together.
This combination of individual talent and group cooperation is meant to emulates real life. This helps the players recognize their own strengths and to identify when they need assistance.
After every game session players will be given a journal prompt about their characters, the game, and themselves. At the beginning of each game session they will be given the opportunity to share their insights with the group. This gives everyone a chance to recall what happened in the previous game, to share their character's point of view, and how the story may be affecting the player.
This program is designed for children ages 12 to 17. Clients in this age range are able to understand the basic mathematics used in the game and are developing critical thinking skills which are enhanced by this type of gameplay. I also find that this mix of ages allows for a balance of imagination and abstract problem solving that you wouldn't normally find in same-age peer groups.
If there is sufficient interest I can create groups for adults ages 18+. If you are interested in this service, please contact me!
Each group will consist of 3 to 4 players. We will meet every other week for 3 hours at a time, for four total sessions. In the first session players will learn the mechanics of the game, create characters, and discuss expectations for the game and the journaling aspect of the program.
The proceeding three classes will begin with 30 minutes of shared discussion where players may talk about their previous journal entries. We will then play for an hour, break for 15 minutes, and play for an additional hour. At the end of the session players will be given their new journal prompts to complete for the following week.
I ask the parents and/or guardians to give the students privacy during gameplay. This allows the child more freedom to express themselves without anxiety. That said, I encourage you ask your child about the story and their character, especially if they are excited about the game! Their stories may not always make sense out of context so ask them clarifying questions. Allow them fill in the details and listen for hints of what lessons they may have learned along the way. I incorporate many different SEL attributes into the game but they may not always be apparent until they are reflected upon. I will also be reading the each journal entry so that I may better shape the direction of gameplay before returning them to the child.