In this time of year when many people start or return to school to learn or teach, perhaps there's a need for a school of sorts for tabletop games—a forum for learning some game mechanisms, getting acquainted with a designer or illustrator, or just practicing your dice-chucking technique. Whatever gaming courses you might be interested in, the next AARGGH Grand Gaming Melee could be a great place to pursue them. Enrollment is open, and there are no tuition fees! So crack open those rule books, study up, and let's learn some games.
Bring some of your favorite course materials (games, that is) for leading others in a group project, or come with only an open mind and explore the available curricula. You're likely to find someone willing to teach most anything that's there. In-progress research efforts (prototypes) are welcome, too.
Because good nourishment is conducive to good learning, please bring something delicious to share with your fellow classroom participants. Anything easily and neatly consumed at the gaming tables is welcome. Popular delicious items include bags of chips, pretzels, crackers, and cookies. Some people bring a package of doughnuts or cupcakes; these are always popular and disappear quickly. Savory snacks like olives, vegetables with dip, or cheese appeal to players who don’t want to spend the entire day snacking on sweets. A few creative types may even bring something homemade; these contributions are even more appreciated. A refrigerator is available to store drinks and other items that should be kept chilled.
Official start time is 10:30 a.m. You can come and go at any time, but your host appreciates anyone who arrives as early as 10:00 a.m. (when the library opens) to help with set-up. Many hands make light work! Cleanup begins around 4:00 p.m. (or whenever you decide that you can’t squeeze in one more game before the end of the event). Remember, whoever starts cleanup first gets the best choice of leftover snacks to take home! As always, leave the room clean and tidy.
When cleaning up at Beatley Library:
• Please ensure that food scraps, crumbs, and bits of packaging are not strewn in the kitchen or auditorium. The library closes shortly after our event ends, so anything edible left on the floor or counters will attract vermin overnight. Night vermin are the worst!
• Please fold most of the tables—a few may remain where they were used—and stack them near the coat rack or within the closet, but DO NOT FOLD THE CHAIRS. Leave them out in any configuration that lets people walk around them easily. Many chairs are needed for programs the following day, so by folding them you only make more work for the organizers. On the other hand, more than a few tables left standing only impede the next day’s activities.
