Nerd Louisville Podcast

Episode 8 – Game Camp at Cabbage Patch Settlement House

Episode 8 – Game Camp at Cabbage Patch Settlement House

In this episode, we talk with CJ & Matt who are running the upcoming Game Camp at the Cabbage Patch Settlement House. The Game Camp will run from April 4th to 9th and feature a wide variety of activities that involve learning, playing, and even designing a game.

Patch Con at the Cabbage Patch Settlement House
Children play games on a field trip to a local game store during Patch Con.

The Cabbage Patch is a local, non-profit, religious organization that focuses on helping at-risk children with extracurricular activity and educational resources. The Game Camp is in its infancy, but is growing out of a Wednesday “Patch Con” that CJ runs regularly at the Cabbage Patch. The Cabbage Patch believes games are great educational tools.

Highlights:

  • CJ Duffet, education specialist
  • Matt Spalding, youth & recreation development coordinator
  • Overview of the Cabbage Patch in Louisville KY
  • In 100 year history of Cabbage Patch, first Game Camp
  • Discussion of “Patch Con”, the precursor to Game Camp, where kids have learned to play games
  • Games like Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, etc. being excellent educational tools
  • THAC0
  • The age range of kids at the Cabbage Patch
  • CJ & Matt’s background in tabletop gaming, roleplaying games, and collectible card games
  • The Firefly system and playing in that game as a captain (not Malcom Reynolds)
  • Matt begins roleplaying when he’s four years old, 1st Edition AD&D, Gygax, vampire mind control
  • The genesis of Game Camp, bamboo bo staffs
  • Parental interaction with the cost of games and donations from local game stores
  • Jack Chick, the evil of games, demons, magic, and leading kids astray within a religious-based non-profit
  • Local game designers and industry professionals who are coming to Game Camp, including Jeff Dehut of Pocket Dungeon Quest fame
  • Designing and developing a game with the kids
  • Foe Hunters and Slur Your Role
  • Mouse Guard, Burning Wheel, Redwall, Grimm RPG
  • Dave Mattingly, Muppets, and volunteers who may want to participate in the game camp
  • Field trip to game stores (Heroes Comics & Gaming or Through the Decades)
  • Inspiration from a literary camp run at Cabbage Patch
  • More on volunteering and aiding in the Game Camp, especially game designers
  • A trip to ConGlomeration with the kids and open gaming
  • Fluxx card game (“A game that you just follow the rules,” said Matt)
  • More on games as educational tools, gamification, brushing teeth
  • CJ reflects on getting destroyed in a Yu-gi-oh tournament by a six year old at Something 2 Do
  • Plans for an expanded Summer Camp
  • Find Cabbage Patch at www.cabbagepatch.org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cabbagepatchsettlementhouse/

The Crew:

  • Mike Pfaff
  • Matt McCloud

Intro / Outro music is The White of Noon by STRFKR, graciously provided with permission by Polyvinyl Records.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:40 — 27.2MB)

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Mike Pfaff

Mike is the co-founder of Nerd Louisville and still volunteers from time-to-time. He's been a nerd since he was first introduced to Dungeons & Dragons when he was a wee lad and continues playing to this day. You can play games with him at Slur Your Role or other Nerd Louisville events.