Storytelling Through Board Games

With each roll of the twenty-sided die, campers guided characters across the game boards during the Legends and Lore summer camp held at the UTA Central Library on Aug. 1.  

The weeklong camp, from July 31 through Aug. 4, features activities that will improve children’s storytelling abilities. 

Quentin Scott, a library specialist, shared that using the popular board game Dungeons and Dragons is a great way to open the door of the imagination. Campers created characters that they used in the game, which included wizards, elves and warlocks. 

“In the game, they are exploring a cave filled with interesting mechanisms, ferocious plants and noxious fumes,” Quentin said. “Later in the cave, if they make it through the traps and the dangers, they will encounter some of the residents living there. Some of which may be hostile and some not. It is up to them to decide whether to use force or diplomatic means to resolve the conflict.” 

Quentin stated that D&D helps build storytelling skills and teaches people how to work together. 

During the game, players work together on a quest using different skills like logic, mathematics, and imagination to guide them through the story. The actions each player takes dictate the success or failure of the group. 

Jonathan McLain, a seventh grader, shared that he has enjoyed how interactive the game is with the adventure, the story that is told by the narrator, i.e., the Dungeon Master, and the unique characters that are involved with the game. He added that it was fun to design and create a character. 

Fellow camper Holland Spoor, a sixth grader, shared Jonathan’s thoughts about the board game. 

“I like making up stories and giving characters their own backgrounds. It is fun,” Holland said. “The game shows a lot of things. You can embrace yourself through it and you can entertain others.” 

This is the second year that UTA Libraries has hosted a summer camp, which continues to grow in popularity. Its goal is not only to connect kids to the library but also to foster creativity.  

To find out more about what UTA Libraries has to offer through its programs, check out the library website.