I posted this once but got no replies, so I'm posting it again.
How do I start a playgroup? I'm moving school so that means I'm also leaving my playgroup behind. We weren't really structured, we just met and played games. This time around, I sorta want to make it an official club- one with a designated meeting point in the campus, a designated meeting time and a nerdy teacher supervisor. Can I somehow get the support of my LGS and ask for some Welcome decks as the decks that will stay at the club? I don't really want to leave my decks (although I can let them borrow). Any advice would be appreciated!
Yes, you should be able to ask for welcome decks. You could explain your situation and the store may give you extras. Some game stores may be scummy and charge for that, so avoid these ones. If you find a good LGS that helps you with that (and maybe some locals donate draft shafts and bulk cards, I do occasionally), you could buy booster box from them and organize drafts (well probably online would be cheaper, but you know give and take).
Now, I don't know how highschool handles club activities, so I can't help with that. In university I had a playgroup of 4 ~ 8 people. We had our spot and official time although it wasn't really a club. We occasionally would have drafts and small tournaments with penalties as "prize". Ideally everyone should be on similar spending power. Everyone could contribute for the draft pool and you could discuss on how to share the cards afterwards. Just having a space and time should be more than enough in the beginning.
Most places, there's a good chance you'll be able to find people who already play, and have the biggest hurdle in putting together a gaming group done for you - getting a core circle started.
I'm an educator, Wizards has been awesome in bringing magic to my students.There are a few ways to approach this but you're probably best off starting (as others have said) by finding some other players in your new school (it wouldn't be unheard of that your school already has a MTG / Gaming club in place). It never hurts to keep two decks around to help show someone else how to play but yeah, most LCS's should have some welcome decks. If you can (and it's really hard to say what your chances are) try to find a staff member who plays, has played, is familiar with the game, if there isn't already a student group dedicated to this sort of thing find out the procedures to start one (chances are your group will need a staff "sponsor"), just bring it up to them (mentioning the following webpage isn't a bad idea). If you have a hard time doing this (honestly, I imagine it could be kinda harder than it seems at first [I'm the only staff member at my school who plays magic]) don't be discouraged. If there's one thing I could tell highschool me about navigating through school that I never thought of if that you really don't know your teachers. This sounds more menacing than it is. I don't think there's a subject or type of teacher you need to keep an eye out for. There's a lot of math involved, so obviously math teachers might be a good hook (if you go there work up the math angle) but at the same time English and History (/ any "soft" science teachers) in my experience seem to be from the "nice guy athlete grown up" to the most far-out / nerdy people you can imagine, one group of teachers that you may not deal with (and your school may not have many / any) are special education folks and if you have a hard time they might be your last best shot. Special education is a pretty broad term and their specialization could be in a number of things which share a ton of elements from behavior specialists to communications, learning theory... all kindsa stuff. Before that, find at least two or three other students who would be interested.
Wizards has a program in place to help support magic clubs and you can possibly find some level of support there too (This is a link to said Wizards program).
Remember, your greatest tool will be inclusiveness. This can possibly be your biggest challenge depending on who you find to play with (if they've got problematic tendencies) but it could also be no problem at all. It's important when forming a group that everyone feels welcome regardless of who they are (provided they show that same level of respect towards others).
If this fails, your best best is just to find local shops that run FNM. This will find you magic players to play with but in my (limited) experience most of these players won't be your age (The shops I've been to most of the guys have been in their 20's-40's but with a handful of younger players) but tend to be supportive of younger players.
Thank you for all the suggestions but the Wizards club support thing is out of my reach since I don't live in USA or Canada. School hasn't started yet but I'm already looking for ideas so in case there are Magic players at the school, I can already share the plan and hopefully succeed.
Just wanted to say, thanks for the info! I've been running a school group for a few years...never knew about this program through WotC! Just sent an e-mail in. Much appreciated!
Thank you for all the suggestions but the Wizards club support thing is out of my reach since I don't live in USA or Canada. School hasn't started yet but I'm already looking for ideas so in case there are Magic players at the school, I can already share the plan and hopefully succeed.
Well, if all else fails just find some other people and play. I'm not sure where you're from but it's been a consistent thing that at most schools there's some kinda group of kids that're into this sort of thing. The nature of it changes (some groups are into mini stuff more (like Warhammer), while other groups are more into table top rpgs) with time and location, chances are you'll find some kids into the same sorts of stuff. They might not look like you expect them to (heck, when I was fifteen I had a two foot mohawk and spent my weekends at punk houses and squats) but chances are there are a couple people in your new school who would at least be interested if they don't already play. Good luck.
Just wanted to say, thanks for the info! I've been running a school group for a few years...never knew about this program through WotC! Just sent an e-mail in. Much appreciated!
Sweet, thanks. Good luck with the program. I just got a box of stuff for my students yesterday. It's a pretty solid kit and they were really quick with everything.
How do I start a playgroup? I'm moving school so that means I'm also leaving my playgroup behind. We weren't really structured, we just met and played games. This time around, I sorta want to make it an official club- one with a designated meeting point in the campus, a designated meeting time and a nerdy teacher supervisor. Can I somehow get the support of my LGS and ask for some Welcome decks as the decks that will stay at the club? I don't really want to leave my decks (although I can let them borrow). Any advice would be appreciated!
UGMefolkGU
GElvesG
Casual
UBPirate ArtifactsBU
Now, I don't know how highschool handles club activities, so I can't help with that. In university I had a playgroup of 4 ~ 8 people. We had our spot and official time although it wasn't really a club. We occasionally would have drafts and small tournaments with penalties as "prize". Ideally everyone should be on similar spending power. Everyone could contribute for the draft pool and you could discuss on how to share the cards afterwards. Just having a space and time should be more than enough in the beginning.
Most places, there's a good chance you'll be able to find people who already play, and have the biggest hurdle in putting together a gaming group done for you - getting a core circle started.
Wizards has a program in place to help support magic clubs and you can possibly find some level of support there too (This is a link to said Wizards program).
Remember, your greatest tool will be inclusiveness. This can possibly be your biggest challenge depending on who you find to play with (if they've got problematic tendencies) but it could also be no problem at all. It's important when forming a group that everyone feels welcome regardless of who they are (provided they show that same level of respect towards others).
If this fails, your best best is just to find local shops that run FNM. This will find you magic players to play with but in my (limited) experience most of these players won't be your age (The shops I've been to most of the guys have been in their 20's-40's but with a handful of younger players) but tend to be supportive of younger players.
Good luck
Modern: Goblins,Storm
Legacy: Burn
EDH: Simic Merfolk
UGMefolkGU
GElvesG
Casual
UBPirate ArtifactsBU
Well, if all else fails just find some other people and play. I'm not sure where you're from but it's been a consistent thing that at most schools there's some kinda group of kids that're into this sort of thing. The nature of it changes (some groups are into mini stuff more (like Warhammer), while other groups are more into table top rpgs) with time and location, chances are you'll find some kids into the same sorts of stuff. They might not look like you expect them to (heck, when I was fifteen I had a two foot mohawk and spent my weekends at punk houses and squats) but chances are there are a couple people in your new school who would at least be interested if they don't already play. Good luck.
Sweet, thanks. Good luck with the program. I just got a box of stuff for my students yesterday. It's a pretty solid kit and they were really quick with everything.
Modern: Goblins,Storm
Legacy: Burn
EDH: Simic Merfolk