CritCamp
A tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) camp that is run ‘convention’ style for students in the NEK to explore identity, culture, and community under the direction of experienced game masters (GMs) in a safe and inclusive environment.
Convention-Style Tabletop RolePlaying Game Workshop for rising 6th - 8th Graders
This year, Christine Milne-O'Grady (LICSW) and Emma Hansen (teacher) are launching our pilot program: CritCamp.
Explore different TTRPG worlds and systems
Learn to paint miniatures
Practice map-making
Create worlds and tell stories together
The camp will run "convention" style - meaning there will be morning and afternoon sessions and workshops.
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Gaming
Explore different TTRPG systems under the direction of experienced Game Masters. Campers will have a chance to play 2 to 3 hour game sessions.
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Miniature Painting
Campers will learn to paint their own miniatures that they can take home!
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World Building
Children will learn how to build their own worlds and stories alone or in collaboration with others. This will happen alongside map-making.
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Map Making
Campers will learn how to age paper and draw maps of worlds, regions, or cities of their own creation.
Meet our Directors
Emma Hansen taught middle school for ten years and was the Director of Rosie's Girls at Thaddeus Stevens School for three years. She currently teaches Kindergarten. She has been both a GM and a player for a variety of different live events, and has published her own therapeutic RPGs.
Christine Milne-O’Grady (she/her) is a Burke-based clinical social worker and therapist who specializes in LGBTQIA+ youth support. She is an avid TTRPG player and has explored utilizing different systems as part of a therapeutic practice.
Why is Storytelling Important?
Fantasy stories and storytelling are excellent for children because they provide a playground to explore the human experience. Christine and Emma have developed this project to provide a safe, affirming space for middle school age area students to use storytelling to explore identity, discover new hobbies, and meet other students in the area using TSS as the homebase. Not only will students have the opportunity to tell stories with one another, but also will have the opportunity to learn how to paint miniatures (mini figurines used in TTRPGs), learn how to build worlds, tell stories, create and honor boundaries, and work as a community.
Fees, Dates, Food
By Donation
To ensure accessibility, attendance to the camp is by donation only. Our workshop teachers are volunteers, and funding for this program is made possible by the Northeast Kingdom Fund through the Vermont Community Foundation. If you wish to make a donation to CritCamp, all funds will be allocated back into the program, just indicate that you are making a donation to CritCamp.
Saturday, 9/21
Due to the recent flooding we had to move our two-day camp plans to one day in September. Thank you for your patience.
Lunch will be provided
We firmly believe in accessibility for all, so lunch will be provided.
This program is funded by the Northeast Kingdom Fund through the Vermont Community Foundation, as well as local sponsors, partners, and donors.
Please note that this is a pilot program. As such, there will be bumps and growing pains and we appreciate your patience as we work through them. We will also be surveying both parents and children about how to improve the program.
Thank you to all of our partners, donors, and sponsors!
This program is made possible by support from the community.
