Dungeons and Dragons adventure engages youth
Jack Hall, centre, and Will Thompson-Blythe, right, prepare to embark on an exciting Dungeons and Dragons quest with local youth. Photo: Supplied.
The Waimea Youth Council hosted their second Dungeons and Dragons night on 23 August at the Richmond Library, attracting a diverse group of youth eager for epic adventures.
This fantasy tabletop role-playing game, celebrated for its storytelling, sees players guiding heroes through quests, battles against mythical foes, and daring rescues.
“The evening was fantastic, with a great atmosphere and everyone engaged,” Will Thompson-Blythe, a Year 10 student at Waimea College and co-coordinator of the event, says.
“It’s a social game that brings people together, makes you more creative, and engages different parts of your brain.”
In May, the Waimea Youth Council brainstormed ideas for Youth Week, choosing Dungeons and Dragons for its minimal equipment requirements—just space and participants.
The event lined up with the council’s aim to foster creativity, teamwork, and social skills among local youth.
By immersing them in imaginative storytelling and strategic gameplay, the event aimed to build confidence, encourage critical thinking, and strengthen bonds within the community, all while having fun in a safe environment.
Jack Hall, co-coordinator of the event and Year 9 student at Garin College, highlighted the game’s versatility as a storytelling platform.
“It’s incredibly diverse,” he explains. “You can create and experience adventures anytime, anywhere.”
Whether engaging in a single session ‘one shot’ adventure or embarking on a ‘multi-session campaign’ where stories unfold over time, Dungeons and Dragons encourages creativity and social bonds among players.
The Dungeons and Dragons events were funded and supported by the Tasman District Council and provided opportunities for youth to either bring their own group or simply join one upon arrival.
The duo is enthusiastic about organising regular events and details for up-coming nights will be posted on the Waimea Youth Council’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as in school newsletters and the Richmond Library notice board.