You may have heard of Dungeons and Dragons, but there are many other Tabletop Role-Playing Games, or TTRPGs, to explore with their own rules and fantastic settings. Give your student the freedom to improvise this summer and enjoy their growth as they experience how their choices shape the outcome of the game.
TTRPGs are storytelling games that are cooperative instead of competitive. Participants determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization, and the actions succeed or fail according to a formal system of rules and guidelines, usually involving randomization, such as through dice. When teens play TTRPGs, they practice confidence, creativity, and thinking through consequences-all while having fun with friends under the careful guidance of experienced staff.
Skills we see practiced regularly in Middle School U TTRPGs:
- Collaborative storytelling and communication
- Decision-making and teamwork
- Problem-solving under pressure and emotional regulation
- Creativity and critical thinking
- Language and math proficiency through gameplay
Here are our Top TTRPG courses for your middle schooler this summer:
The Quiet Year
Although not as recognizable as our following three suggestions, The Quiet Year is, “part roleplaying game, part cartographic poetry,” stretching the imagination and storytelling abilities. Students define the struggles of a post-apocalyptic community and attempt to build something good together within their quiet year.
When this course is happening:
- August 10-14 at Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Madison
Star Wars: Age of Rebellion
Students take on the sinister Galactic Empire as members of the Rebel Alliance. They face down legions of stormtroopers, steal secret plans and restricted codes, and stay on target in the fight against the ultimate power in the universe. No matter what role in the Rebellion your middle schooler takes, the fate of the galaxy rests in their hands.
When this course is happening:
- August 3-7 at Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Madison
Root
“The Marquise de Cat led her armies to victory over many of the clearings, but the Eyrie Dynasties rise again to oppose her…” Amid this war, your student and their friends — vagabonds all — travel between the clearings, taking on jobs no one else can or will do. They choose whom to serve, if anyone… and ultimately tip the balance of the war.
When this course is happening:
- June 22-26 at Badger Ridge Middle School, Verona
- August 10-14 at Shorewood Hills Elementary School, Madison
Avatar Legends
Have your middle schooler follow in the footsteps of Aang, Korra, and more as they take to action in this game based on the series Avatar: The Last Airbender. They must learn the patience to master an element, weaponry, or technology to rise and meet their destiny. Students pursue balance by learning from great mentors and getting into trouble across the Four Nations.
When this course is happening:
- July 6-10 at Badger Ridge Middle School, Verona
To register for programs at MSU, visit wisconsinyouthcompany.org/register for more information, or check out all the MSU courses available this year at wisconsinyouthcompany.org/summer-camp/middle-school-u.
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