Theo R Cwithin
I cast "Baconstorm!"
Just stumbled across this blog post at Psychology Today by Ethan Gilsdorf, who wrote Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks. He talks briefly about some of the "scares" related to gaming (TTRPGs and CRPGs) over the years, before going on to discuss some of the social benefits of gaming. He concludes by introducing a youth center in Maine, The Game Loft, which has been providing a safe after-school environment for kids by engaging them in table-top RPGs. And it's been doing this for over ten years.
Now that's pretty cool. There have been a few discussions here about RPGs in the classroom as tools to aid with learning disabilities, to teach language, and so on. I also know folks here have mentioned game days in libraries and game shops, the former often as a service, and the latter to build RPG awareness and business.
Are there any other such programs out there in other community contexts, or even ones like The Game Loft devoted solely to gaming as a community service?
If something like exists elsewhere, is it (or would it be) successful in your neck of the woods? If something like this had been around when you were a kid, would you have taken part? Would you encourage your own kids to participate?
Is something like this truly a "service", or is this overrated?
Now that's pretty cool. There have been a few discussions here about RPGs in the classroom as tools to aid with learning disabilities, to teach language, and so on. I also know folks here have mentioned game days in libraries and game shops, the former often as a service, and the latter to build RPG awareness and business.
Are there any other such programs out there in other community contexts, or even ones like The Game Loft devoted solely to gaming as a community service?
If something like exists elsewhere, is it (or would it be) successful in your neck of the woods? If something like this had been around when you were a kid, would you have taken part? Would you encourage your own kids to participate?
Is something like this truly a "service", or is this overrated?
