Boardgames and Battlegrounds
Boardgames and Battlegrounds
Written by Vanessa Watson
May 10, 2022
So many of our games have been digitized. To play chess you can hop onto a website and instantly match with a person or computer opponent. Even physical games like ping pong are played with taps and swipes. However, there is something missing from these sterile flashing screens. There is something about playing face to face across the same gameboard that buffering screens can’t replicate. In our age of technology, some still gather around a game table to enjoy the company that comes with an in-person game.
At ThunderRidge, these people gather in the Tabletop Gaming Club; a club focused on providing a space to play non-digital games. This club is on the larger side of TRHS clubs, with around twenty regular attendees, which is plenty of people to start a game with. According to Isaac Smith, a club member, "[As a club] we have a lot of fun nerding out. It's a judgment-free zone, beginners are not just welcome but encouraged!"
The Tabletop Game Club begins with casual chatter as people trickle into the library on Tuesdays right after school. When everyone has arrived, the sign-in sheet is passed around and any announcements are made. Members then split up into groups, grabbing board games from the cart and spreading out across tables. Usually, there are four or five groups, though occasionally there will be more. Three of these groups are dedicated to the club’s most popular game, Dungeons and Dragons. The other groups play a variety of board games. Sometimes members will bring in games from home, otherwise, students will choose from a wide variety available in the library.
These games are free to use outside of the club as well, so next time you’re in the library feel free to borrow one of the games. This club currently boasts a large selection including Risk, Battleship, Clue, Sorry, Uno, and more. However, donations are always welcome! Please visit the club website for a complete list.
The Table Top Game Club has been around for five years. Its popularity was declining when COVID hit. Instead of dying like so many other TR clubs, more people became interested in physical games. The community this club provided helped members stay socially connected during the COVID lockdown. The friendships built during that difficult year continue today in their in-person meetings.
In fact, the club fosters a special sense of community. As Will says, “This club is full of fantastic members who are super nice and welcoming, and we always have something fun going on!" There are many close friendships that started during this club, such as the friendship between Cass Gale and Evian Nguyen, and the comradery between Jason Richard and Will Vernon. Evian describes their friendship with Cass as, “one of those two guys walk into a bar jokes, except they share a dead brain cell.” They like to go to Hot Topic together and are often found laughing uproariously together. Jason says he met Will “during COVID. We both enjoy playing and creating characters. It's fun to hang out together.” When not gaming, these two help each other in math class.
The Tabletop Game Club has also inspired people to reach out to their communities. Board games were such an effective bonding tool, Will, Cass, and other club members have started organized game nights outside of the club. These gatherings have had immense success in bringing together families, friends, and communities.
Joining the club is simple. The first step is to email Mrs. Sjoland, the club’s sponsor, and inform her of your interest in joining. From there, there is a small fee of $10 to join, but this can be waived if it would cause financial difficulty. There are two forms you must sign, the same forms you would sign to join any other club. These can be printed from the club’s website. Turn these in, and you are officially a member of the Tabletop Game Club.
You do not have to be a member to participate in game nights. If you’re on the fence about joining, come attend a meeting or two. The club is held almost every Tuesday in the library from 3-4.
The Tabletop Game Club is a wonderful opportunity to get off of screens and have real, meaningful connections with friends. Whether it’s table tennis, Dungeons & Dragons, or Sorry, there’s always someone ready to start a game. Join this inclusive community in the library or look at their website for more information.
If you’re interested:
Contact Mrs. Sjoland at channaford@dcsdk12.org
Contact the club president at watsonvj@dcsdk12.org
Visit the club’s website at https://sites.google.com/s.dcsdk12.org/trhstabletopgamingclub/about-the-club
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