How to Start an After-School Gaming Club at Your Community College
Community colleges are uniquely positioned to offer diverse extracurricular activities that enrich student life and foster a sense of community. An after-school gaming club, particularly one focused on tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) like Dungeon Crawl Classics, can be an exciting and educational addition to your college’s offerings. These games promote creativity, teamwork, strategic thinking, and social interaction, making them an excellent fit for students of all backgrounds. This guide will walk you through the steps to establish a successful gaming club at your community college.
1. Understanding the Needs and Interests of Community College Students
1.1 Assessing Student Interest
Before launching a gaming club, it’s important to gauge student interest and identify potential members:
Surveys and Polls: Use online surveys or in-class polls to ask students about their interest in tabletop RPGs, availability, and preferred games. Tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey can help you collect and analyze this data.
Focus Groups: Organize small focus groups to discuss the idea with interested students. This can provide deeper insights into what they would like to see in the club.
Informal Discussions: Talk to students during campus events, in common areas, or through social media to get a sense of their interest and enthusiasm.
1.2 Aligning with Student Schedules
Community college students often have complex schedules with work, family, and academic commitments. Consider the following when planning your club’s schedule:
Flexible Meeting Times: Offer meetings at different times, such as late afternoons or evenings, to accommodate varying schedules.
Online Options: Consider incorporating online gaming sessions using platforms like Roll20 or Discord, which allow students to participate remotely.
Shorter Sessions: Plan for shorter gaming sessions (1-2 hours) that fit more easily into students’ busy lives.
2. Gaining Administrative Approval and Support
2.1 Crafting a Proposal
To secure approval from college administrators, you’ll need a detailed proposal outlining the club’s purpose, structure, and benefits:
Club Objectives: Clearly state the goals of the club, such as fostering community, enhancing critical thinking, and providing a creative outlet for students.
Educational Benefits: Highlight the educational value of RPGs, including improved literacy, problem-solving skills, and teamwork. Cite studies like this one from Edutopia to support your claims.
Logistics: Include details about meeting times, locations, required materials, and any costs involved. If applicable, suggest potential faculty advisors or student leaders.
2.2 Addressing Potential Concerns
Be prepared to address any concerns administrators might have:
Content Appropriateness: Ensure that the games chosen are suitable for a college environment and align with the institution’s values. You might propose a selection of games with varying themes and complexity levels.
Budget and Resources: Provide a realistic budget that covers materials, snacks, and any other expenses. Offer solutions for funding, such as seeking student government support, crowdfunding, or applying for grants.
Inclusivity: Emphasize how the club will be inclusive, welcoming students from all backgrounds and skill levels.
3. Structuring the Club for Success
3.1 Defining Club Goals and Objectives
Set clear goals to guide the club’s activities and ensure it meets the needs of its members:
Community Building: Create a space where students can form connections and build lasting friendships through shared interests.
Skill Development: Focus on developing skills such as strategic thinking, creative writing, and teamwork through gameplay.
Relaxation and Fun: Provide a fun and stress-free environment where students can unwind and engage in imaginative play.
3.2 Planning the Club’s Schedule and Activities
Develop a flexible yet consistent schedule that keeps students engaged:
Weekly or Bi-Weekly Meetings: Depending on student availability, consider holding meetings once a week or every other week. Ensure these meetings are held at a consistent time and place.
Session Structure:
Welcome and Introduction: Start each session with a brief introduction and update on any club news (10 minutes).
Main Gameplay: Engage in the main gaming session, focusing on collaboration and storytelling (1-2 hours).
Debrief and Social Time: Conclude with a short debrief to discuss the session and socialize (15-30 minutes).
3.3 Choosing the Right Games
Select games that match the interests and experience levels of the group:
Classic RPGs:
Dungeon Crawl Classics: A popular and versatile RPG that’s suitable for both beginners and experienced players.
Starfinder: Another well-known RPG with a focus on strategic depth and character customization.
Story-Driven Games:
FATE: A flexible, narrative-driven RPG that encourages creativity and collaborative storytelling.
Powered by the Apocalypse: A story-focused, player-driven game that can be adapted to a variety of genres and story types.
4. Engaging and Retaining Club Members
4.1 Promoting the Club
Effective promotion is key to attracting new members and maintaining interest:
Social Media: Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to share updates, photos, and upcoming events. Consider creating a dedicated page or group for the club.
Campus Flyers: Design eye-catching flyers to post around campus, including in common areas, the student union, and the library.
Word of Mouth: Encourage current members to invite friends and classmates. Personal recommendations can be highly effective in a community college setting.
4.2 Creating an Inclusive and Welcoming Environment
Fostering a welcoming atmosphere is crucial for the success of your club:
Open to All: Ensure the club is accessible to all students, regardless of their gaming experience or background. Use inclusive language and activities to make everyone feel welcome.
Peer Mentorship: Pair experienced players with newcomers to help them learn the rules and feel more comfortable.
Variety of Games: Offer a range of games to cater to different interests and skill levels, ensuring that everyone can participate and enjoy themselves.
4.3 Celebrating Achievements and Building Community
Recognizing achievements and creating a sense of community will help retain members and build the club’s reputation:
Awards and Recognition: Create awards for outstanding role-playing, creativity, or teamwork. These can be presented at the end of each semester or during special events.
Community Events: Host special events such as game nights, tournaments, or even inter-college competitions to build camaraderie and attract new members.
Leadership Opportunities: Encourage students to take on leadership roles within the club, such as organizing events or leading game sessions. This not only helps the club but also develops their skills and confidence.
5. Managing Resources and Logistics
5.1 Budgeting for the Club
Effective budgeting is essential for the sustainability of your club:
Initial Setup Costs: Plan for the purchase of game manuals, dice, character sheets, and other necessary materials. Our publisher, Witch Pleas Publishing, offers deep discounts to educators.
Ongoing Expenses: Consider costs for snacks, promotional materials, and any special events or trips.
Funding Sources: Explore funding options such as student government support, crowdfunding, or local sponsorships to cover expenses.
5.2 Acquiring and Organizing Materials
Organizing your materials is key to ensuring smooth and successful gaming sessions:
Purchasing Materials: Buy necessary items from reputable sources. Look for educational discounts or wholesale options to save money.
Donations and Sponsorship: Reach out to local game stores, alumni, or community members for donations of games, materials, or funding.
Storage Solutions: Invest in storage bins or cabinets to keep your materials organized and easily accessible during meetings.
5.3 Administrative Management
Good administrative practices will help maintain the club’s momentum:
Attendance Records: Keep accurate records of student attendance and participation. This information can be useful for reporting to the college administration or applying for funding.
Parent and Community Communication: If applicable, keep open lines of communication with parents and the broader community. Regular updates on the club’s activities can help build support.
Safety and Conduct Policies: Establish clear rules and guidelines for behavior during club meetings. Ensure that all members understand and agree
6. Evaluating and Sustaining the Club
6.1 Gathering Feedback and Measuring Success
Regular evaluation is key to ensuring the long-term success and relevance of your gaming club:
Student Surveys: Conduct periodic surveys to gather feedback from members about their experiences, preferences, and suggestions for improvement. Online tools like Google Forms make it easy to collect and analyze this data.
Focus Groups: Hold small focus group discussions to delve deeper into student opinions and ideas for the club’s future direction.
Tracking Participation: Monitor attendance and engagement levels over time to identify trends. This data can help you understand which activities are most popular and guide future planning.
6.2 Adapting to Evolving Interests
As your club grows, it’s important to remain flexible and adapt to changing interests and dynamics:
Introducing New Games: Regularly introduce new games or game formats to keep things fresh and exciting for members. This can also attract new students who might have different gaming preferences.
Expanding Club Activities: Consider expanding the club’s scope by incorporating related activities, such as board games, card games, or even video games, depending on member interest.
Workshops and Guest Speakers: Offer workshops on game design, storytelling, or strategy, and invite guest speakers from the gaming industry or academic fields to provide additional learning opportunities.
6.3 Ensuring Leadership Continuity
Sustaining the club over the long term requires strong leadership and clear succession planning:
Student Leadership Roles: Encourage students to take on leadership roles, such as club president, event coordinator, or treasurer. This not only helps with club operations but also develops leadership skills among members.
Faculty Advisor Involvement: Ensure the continued involvement of a faculty advisor who can provide guidance, support, and continuity as student leaders graduate or move on.
Succession Planning: Establish a clear process for transitioning leadership roles from year to year. This might include mentoring incoming leaders, documenting club procedures, and creating a handbook for future reference.
7. Long-Term Vision and Expansion
7.1 Setting Long-Term Goals
Establishing long-term goals can provide direction and motivation for the club as it matures:
Club Growth: Aim to steadily increase membership by promoting the club through various channels and offering diverse activities that appeal to a broad range of students.
Campus Integration: Work towards making the gaming club an integral part of campus life by collaborating with other student organizations, participating in campus events, and contributing to the college’s community-building efforts.
Inter-College Collaboration: Explore opportunities to collaborate with gaming clubs at other community colleges or universities. This could involve joint events, tournaments, or online gaming sessions that foster a larger gaming community.
7.2 Expanding Beyond the College
Consider ways to extend the club’s impact beyond the college:
Community Engagement: Engage with the local community by hosting public gaming events, charity fundraisers, or educational workshops that introduce tabletop RPGs to a wider audience.
Online Presence: Develop an online presence for the club through a website, blog, or social media channels. This can help attract new members, share resources, and connect with the broader gaming community.
Alumni Involvement: Stay connected with alumni who were active in the club by inviting them back for special events or encouraging them to mentor current members. Alumni can also be a valuable resource for fundraising or networking opportunities.
Conclusion
Starting an after-school gaming club at your community college is an exciting opportunity to enrich student life, foster creativity, and build a vibrant campus community. By understanding the unique needs of community college students, securing administrative support, and carefully planning the club’s structure and activities, you can create a dynamic and sustainable club that provides meaningful experiences for all participants. As the club grows and evolves, remember to stay flexible, embrace new ideas, and continue building on the strong foundation you’ve established.
Resources and References
Witch Pleas Publishing Official Site: Your source for deep discounts for educators, librarians and teachers on education-oriented tabletop roleplaying games.
DriveThruRPG: A comprehensive resource for RPG rulebooks and materials.
Education Week: Articles on the educational benefits of roleplaying games.
DriveThruRPG: Offers a vast selection of RPG rulebooks and supplements.
The Roleplaying Game Guide: A comprehensive guide to different RPG systems and game masters’ advice.
Tabletop Gaming Magazine: Offers reviews, guides, and news on the latest tabletop RPGs.
