LAC LA BICHE – A group of youth from the Lac La Biche area put their imaginations to work role playing in fantasy worlds while having plenty of fun during a special Dungeons and Dragons themed game night.
The event, which was organized through the Lac La Biche County FCSS Teen Chillzone program, was held at McArthur Place on Jan. 24.
Christine Martin, a community outreach worker with FCSS, said the evening of Dungeons and Dragons drew a great turnout, with 20 teens playing and six volunteers from the community serving as “Dungeon Masters.” Martin said two staff from the Canadian Native Friendship Centre were also at the event, along with a booth from Lac La Biche County Public Libraries.
According to Martin, the Rotary Club of Lac La Biche donated Dungeons and Dragons dice kits, which were provided to each youth who took part in the games.
“That was so nice of them and the teens appreciated that,” she told Lakeland This Week. “The Library staff also gave out a game package that each teen could take home at the end of the night.”
Crystal McMillan, the main volunteer who organized the games for the evening, did a considerable amount of prep work ahead of time to plan out a story so the teens could come to the event, figure out their roles, invent their characters, and jump right into playing.
There were five different tables, each with a Dungeon Master who led the groups into their own unique adventures.
“No two stories were the same,” said Martin. “There was a lot of laughter and chatter throughout the evening. In fact, we should have separated the table further apart because the teens were so loud it was hard for each group to hear each other,” she said, with a laugh.
Many of the youth who are involved with Teen Chillzone enjoy getting together with their peers for game nights, which Martin says are hosted once or twice a year.
In April, there will be a Chillzone evening featuring a ‘Checkers Showdown’ tournament for teens. The winner of this event, she said, will receive a trophy and be declared the Chillzone Checkers Champ.
“I know everyone says all teens want to play is video games, but that is just not true. Board games, crib, card games are all still very popular with the teens,” says Martin.
Game nights benefit today’s youth just as they benefited youth from previous generations. Socializing, having face-to-face interactions, and having a common goal is important, added Martin.
“People have been enjoying board games, cards . . . for generations, and this generation is no exception."
