The following story is by Bear Creek Secondary School co-op student Bridgette Gilroy.
Members of Bear Creek’s successful Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) Club want people to understand the true importance of the game, as well as to help remove any negative stereotypes.
Run by staff advisor Katie Sweet, the D&D club is currently sitting between 50 and 60 student members from all different grades. The club, which is open to students from all skill levels, includes six student Dungeon Masters (DMs).
While groups are usually separated by grades, there are often groups with a mixture, allowing for early players to “get the ability to play with the leaders that will guide them” , says Sweet, adding as players get more experienced, they can step into those roles and run games for the younger students. “It has some growth built into it.”
When the club first began recruiting a few years back, more than students signed up.
“It grew out of certain people that were hanging out (in the classroom) at lunch and wanted to learn how to play,” says Sweet on how and why the club got its start. “We threw together some games at lunch and realized we needed more time. Then, it became a formalized club.”
Over the past few years, Sweet has noticed a “renaissance” in D&D thanks to a resurgence of both movies and television shows portraying the game.
“Since then, interest has grown to the point where we've been growing in size every single year, which is nice to see.”
Sweet recognizes the club's importance for its skill building.
“(It’s a) safe space to practice social skills as well as team building,” says Sweet, “It's a mix of improv and math, so it's got skills all over the place.”
The club offers a cooperative mentality that allows students to “be creative but also help each other accomplish goals,” she adds.
It isn’t just the teacher who can recognize the benefits of the club.
Grade 12 student Sam H.J. has been a part of the club for two years, and says the club has had a huge impact on his life.
“I knew about D&D for a couple of years, but never really got into it… one of my friends signed up for it and I thought, ‘It might be fun, you know?’”
Since joining, H.J. admits he has found a real passion for the game.
“It’s one of those things that motivates me and makes me happy.”
The sense of community the club offers is another great factor that many members are quick to point out when asked what they enjoy most.
Ewan Pierce, a Grade 12 student who also serves as a Dungeon Master, says he has met some of his closest friends within the walls of the club.
“It’s very inclusive, it’s very fun, it’s got a lot of different people… it’s been one of the most consistent parts of high school for me,” Pierce acknowledged.
“I will say our club has a high percentage of neurodivergence as well as LGBTQ and I think it attracts (those groups) for lots of reasons,” adds Sweet, “Creativity being a huge part of it. It’s a great place to meet people as you are actively socializing as you play.”
Members agree that there is definitely some stigma around D&D players, but want people to know the club is a place where anyone can come and feel comfortable.
“Hate to say it, but there's this stereotype with joining nerdier clubs like that. This kind of, ‘a bunch of nerds who sit around.’ Like, yes, that is what we do a lot of the time… but it is a place where you can really open up and explore yourself,” says Pierce, adding the club is a creative space that allows everyone to be themselves.
“Although it is perceived as a very nerdy activity, I wish people knew just how fun it is to have that ability to play games where there are no limitations,” adds Sweet, who finds that the game not only impacts the students but their parents as well.
“I think there are still some perceptions out there from back in the 80s… so I think the education is more for the people who are my age, in terms of parents… Like, ‘why is my kid into this?’”
On the other hand, given the game has been around since the mid-1970s, Sweet says many parents who played when they were young are not beginning to introduce the game to their children, which helps remove some of that stereotype.
“That’s the nice thing about playing a game that has had a really long legacy.”
From building social skills to practicing creativity, making friendships to finding yourself, the D&D club offers a wide variety of benefits for the students at Bear Creek.
“It's a nice space, a safe space to practice skills that you will ultimately use in real life, but in a fun fantasy way,” adds Sweet.
Pierce is hoping to encourage people to try new things, even if they think it might initially be outside of their comfort zone.
“D&D isn't for everyone, I acknowledge that it's a very niche thing at times, but I really think that almost anyone could get a fun experience out of it.”
Students typically meet Thursdays after school, however the club also runs on Wednesdays and Fridays due to high numbers.
