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Hello All!
***********
Liberty’s Column
Dear Parents,
Abantey is ready for Summer and the Summer Programs are rapidly filling
up. Along with plenty of unscheduled time, many of our friends will be
spending time off with Becky and her Assistants, GMiTs and GMs (whom you
will learn more about in this month’s parent question).
The camping trips are just about full, alas. If your teen didn’t
get in, that is definitely something to look forward to for next year.
Summer break at the Roleplay Workshop is consistently delightful.
Cheers!
Liberty
***********
Program Announcements
Wow! The School year is almost over. We’re gearing up for the Summer
Programs now. If you are interested in the Summer Program, be sure to
sign up early - the spaces go very quickly!
Last Day of School Year Programs
The last days of school year programs are fast approaching.
Saturday 2 (2nd & 4th Saturdays) - May 22
Monday - May 24
Tuesday - June 1
Wednesday - June 2
Thursday - June 3
Friday - June 4
Saturday 1 (1st & 3rd Saturdays) - June 5
Summer Program
We are now enrolling our summer program. The program fills quickly, so
if you are interested, please call to enroll and soon as possible.
***
Please be sure to call me to make sure space is available BEFORE sending
in your form and deposit check. Your space is guaranteed for a summer
week ONLY after I have received your form and deposit.
***
Links
Summer Program Schedule
http://www.roleplay-workshop.com/schedule.html
Printable Registration Form (on the web)
http://www.roleplay-workshop.com/graphics/webform2004SRPW.pdf
Week Long Day Camps
9 am - 5 pm
Extended care available 8 am to 6 pm, @ $10 per hour
Cost: $225 per week, $25 nonrefundable deposit
June 21
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26
August 2
August 9
August 16
August 23
August 30
Week Long Camping Trips
Students must be at least 13 years of age and have 2 or more years
of experience with the program.
Cost: $350 per week, $50 nonrefundable deposit
July 12 (1 space available)
August 2 (FULL)
August 23 (2 spaces available)
Online Calendars
You can now access our scheduling calendars directly on the web. If you
use iCal, you can subscribe to our calendars! To learn more about iCal
or to download a copy, go to http://www.apple.com/ical
Roleplay Workshop Calendar (RPWS)
This calendar is a real-time calendar of the scheduled sessions of Abantey
- after school, school holiday and summer programs. As we update our calendar,
the changes appear automatically on this website! Check this regularly
for updates to the schedule and to confirm when school holiday sessions
have been scheduled.
You can view the after school and summer calendar at:
http://ical.mac.com/rebeccathomas/RPWS
You can subscribe to the after school and summer calendar at:
webcal://ical.mac.com/rebeccathomas/RPWS.ics
School Holiday Calendar
This calendar is a real-time calendar of the school holidays of several
schools and school districts. As we update our calendar, the changes appear
automatically on this website! If your school has holidays that are not
listed on this calendar, you can email me with the dates to add to our
calendar.
Once a school holiday has a confirmed enrollment, it will appear on the
RPWS calendar. Until then, the holidays listed are only POTENTIAL sessions.
A session is confirmed when we have an enrollment of 4 or more and have
adequate staff.
You can view the school holiday calendar at:
http://ical.mac.com/rebeccathomas/School32Holiday
You can subscribe to the after school and summer calendar at:
webcal://ical.mac.com/rebeccathomas/School32Holiday.ics
***********
Parent Questions/Discussion
Many parents have been asking about our staff training program. The information
below includes excerpts from the material handed out to students at their
very first staff meeting.
I chose to staff the Roleplay Workshop with teens for two reasons: peer
mentoring is a powerful educational tool, and it gives teens an opportunity
to learn valuable skills for their future employment out in the real world.
Learning these skills is much easier in a context outside of ‘school’
or ‘parents’, and also easier when it is tied to an activity
that the teens really enjoy.
We have 3 levels of staffing at the Roleplay Workshop: Assistants, GMiTs
(Game Masters in Training) and GMs (Game Masters).
** (excerpt from staff handout)
Responsibility
The most important thing for all Assistants, GMiTs and GMs is responsibility.
Responsibility means: answering e-mails promptly, showing up on time,
contacting me if you are delayed or can’t make it, reading e-mails,
handouts and other stuff, and reading up on the manual - learning the
game mechanics and character generation.
When regular students are present maintain a professional demeanor. No
goofing, no talking back, follow my directions, do your job! One eye on
the kids at all times! The ability to maintain this professional attitude
is an important criterion for employment. Make food choices consistent
with program policy - no candy, gum, or high sugar snacks.
**
Assistants
The Assistants are students who are responsible for helping the other
students learn to play the game and make characters. They are also responsible
for taking, placing and picking up lunch orders and cleaning the bathroom
and taking out the garbage and recycling.
The Assistant program begins at the start of each school year, usually
in October. We talk to all students about the Assistant program throughout
the school year and each week of the summer program. We let the kids know
what we are looking for (see below) and how to become an Assistant.
Students must be able to come to me and ask to be an Assistant - this
is their first test!. I let each applicant know what, if anything they
need to work on. For example, a student may need to work on learning the
game more, or being more assertive or making more responsible choices
in their personal behavior. Some students are asked to show improvement
on specific things before they can enter the Assistant program.
Throughout the school year, Assistants have a variety of opportunities
to learn to improve their skills, such as: Assistant specific game days
and assisting for after school and school holiday programs. They are also
invited, but not required, to attend the GMiT training seminars, which
meet the first Sunday of each month.
In May, there is a written test to see if ALL participants in the staff
program are ready to work in the summer. To work in the summer as an Assistant,
students must be able to make characters correctly and know the basics
of the game system.
** (excerpt from staff handout)
An Assistant is:
-A participant who takes initiative and responsibility on a regular basis.
-A person who shows potential to become a GM.
-Given the opportunity to practice “Assisting” in games run
by GMiTs & GMs during the School year.
-Asked to assist for School Holiday sessions.
-Put into the Assistant rotation for the summer.
-Asked to assist by: helping kids make characters, doing lunch “runs”,
and possibly helping with the missions.
-Expected to help the GM facilitate their game - remember - you are there
for the kids, not for your own character!
-Asked to participate in regular Assistant gaming days to learn advanced
game mechanics!
-NOT guaranteed to become a GMiT
-may last anywhere from 1 to 4 years.
-Required to pass a test on Character generation and basic system mechanics
for a summer position.
**
Advancing in the Program
The next step in the staff training program is the Game Master in Training.
To enter the GMiT program, students are required to write an application
letter. This letter is due by mid September. I make my decisions and let
the applicants know by late September if they have made it into the GMiT
program. Our first Staff meeting is the first Sunday of October.
** (excerpt from staff handout)
Anyone can submit an application for the GMiT program. The letter/application
must cover the following topics: Why do you want to work for The Roleplay
Workshop? What are your qualifications? Why do you think you are ready?
What are your weaknesses? Do you think you can have fun while taking responsibility
for the students in the program?
**
GMiTs
The GMiT training program is more intense. We work to help them build
not only the skills needed to run the game with kids, but also to build
their leadership skills, responsibility levels and personal initiative.
We meet the first Sunday of each month for a staff meeting followed by
a training seminar. The training seminars cover a wide variety of topics
including: system mechanics, goals of the program, story development,
working with students with learning or behavioral differences and the
legal issues of working with kids.
The GMiTs must also past a test to be able to work during the summer (a
paid position). GMiTs must be able to make characters and understand and
implement all the aspects of the game system mechanics. They must also
be able to run a game with help from another GMiT or GM.
** (excerpt from staff handout)
A GMiT is:
-A person who works well with kids, shows consistent levels of responsibility
and maturity, and is ready to commit the time and energy needed to learn
the business end of The Roleplay Workshop.
-A person who has the self-confidence, leadership and responsibility to
be the sole person in charge of a session for a short period of time.
-A position which may last anywhere from 1 to 4 years and is not guaranteed
to become a GM.
-Required to attend the seminar each month (1st Sunday). If the training
is being repeated, the GMiT may attend only the sessions assigned to them.
GMiTs may miss sessions with prior notice. If a GMiT misses 3 sessions
without notifying me, they will be dismissed from the program. Excessive
excused absences may also be cause for dismissal.
Seminar Topics:
--Game system and mechanics (ongoing training!)
--The goals, morality and philosophy of The Roleplay Workshop
--Story plot and development
--Legal issues involved in a “kid” program
--How to deal with kids with developmental or psychological needs
--First Aid and CPR Training
-Required to be able to make a character sheet (both basic and advanced).
-Required to maintain a 3.0 grade average. GMiTs must show their Grade
Reports each marking period. Individual class grades must be at least
a C. You will have 1 grading period to bring your grades back up.
-Required (to work a paid position during the summer) to have attended
all the seminars, run practice game(s), be certified in CPR & 1st
Aid to work during the summer, and pass the GMiT sections of the summer
test
**
GMs
The only difference between a GM and a GMiT is their level of responsibility
and commitment to the program. GMs are required to pass 3 tests in addition
to the basic test. Once they pass, and show the requisite level of responsibility,
they are paid to run games without assistants or co-GMs.
** (excerpt from staff handout)
A GM is:
-Required to pass a written test of situations that might be encountered
while working and run an unassisted game for a group of younger players.
-Required to pass all sections of the summer test.
-Required to run an unassisted game with a group of 4-6 kids, some of
whom have learning differences.
-A person who shows consistent understanding and application of the principals
of The Roleplay Workshop.
-A person who is able to distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate
behavior AT ALL TIMES.
-A person who is ready and able to handle tasks and has the authority
required to be the sole adult decision maker, particularly in case of
an emergency or crisis.
-A person who puts the needs and welfare of the business and kids ahead
of their own personal needs and desires, as they relate to playing Abantey.
**
***********
Session Summaries
Mondays
We have space to enroll up to 8 additional students on Mondays.
Greg
Greg's Monday group has finally found their way to Plaj-E-Tech Industries.
Here they need of the assistance of its Leader, a Marked Plajet named
Lario. But, finding him won't be easy. It seems like someone has taken
the facility hostage, and now it's up to the Adventurers to save the prisoner Marked
Plajets. It won't be easy though, in a base full of tricks and traps!
Tuesdays
Greg
Home School Group
Tuesday's Adventurer's need to save their friend Chi-Chi. From every land
of every creator there is an ingredient they need, and when they have
them all, they will be able to save him. They've managed to find the ingredients
from Baluud, Feesha, and Sakeet, at each location learning more of that
people's culture. Now they are in the harsh deserts of Wa'la looking for
Oasis sand. Will they find it before the inhospitable desert swallows
them whole?
Becky
Home School Group
The home school group this month has had a difficult time. One or more
students have been absent each week. As a result, we have run a few ‘mini’
missions and worked on creating new characters.
After School Group
We have space for 7 more players.
When we last left our intrepid adventurers, they had struggled their way
through the snowy wilderness to the valley with the treasure (according
to their map). They had discovered that their employer (Pak) might not
be who they thought - and might possibly be a serious family enemy! Before
they can confront Pak, their morning was broken by disturbance in the
valley and they were assaulted by a small, flying creature! When things
calmed down, they discover that a young Silith (a small flying, dragon-like
being) had flown to them for help, but all they could discover was that
there is great danger in the ruins below.
They ventured into the valley and crept up on the ruins of a small estate,
backed ominously by a dark, deep cave. While exploring the ruins (and
keeping an eye on the cave mouth), the floor suddenly collapsed sending
one of the party down into the depths. The rest of the them rushed to
the rescue, discovering and descending some hidden stairs. At the bottom,
they discovered a fierce monster that seemed to be half lion and half
scorpion! A horrific battle ensued, first one, then another party member
falling to the beast’s poisoned stinger! Just when it looked as
if the monster would defeat them all, Pak leapt to the rescue! With a
cry of ‘Banzai Monkey!’, Pak swung down into the cave, throwing
a dagger into the eye of the beast and killing it. With that startling
event, our month ended.
Wednesdays
We have no current enrollment for Wednesday. If you would like to start
a Wednesday group (4 students minimum), please let me know. We
can enroll up to 12 students on Wednesdays.
Thursdays
Our Thursday group is mostly girls (6 out of 8), ages 10 to 12. We can
enroll up to 9 more students.
Alicia
The characters rendezvoused and were trying to figure out what to do,
when they were approached by a young man named Riley. He claimed to know
where their parents were. Riley took them down into the sewers where they
traveled through complicated twists and turns until they came to a room
carved into the sewer wall. In that room, they found their parents, injured
but alive, and happy to see them. However, soon it became clear that not
everybody was there, one member of the community was missing in action.
In the middle of the conversation, Riley ducked into the room to warn
them that someone was coming...
Fridays
Friday is a very full day! We have three more spaces available.
At the end of February, we switched the groups around to offer the Friday
players opportunities to play with different GMs and different players.
Becky
Our new mission began with our new characters (and new players) hanging
out in their adventurer’s co-op loft. Two of their house mates (not
players) had convinced the adventurers to participate in an experiment
with subliminal marketing using Emerald magic (mind to mind magic). Visions
of vacations shores and bananas were interrupted by one of their house
mates, a woman by the name of Tsel (an unsavory adventurer with ties to
the black market) suddenly becoming overwhelmed by terrifying hallucinations.
The hallucinations turned out to be memories that had been suppressed
by powerful magic. Apparently, a few weeks ago, a crazy woman had raced
through the street market, leaving a trail of dying bodies in her wake.
Guards had moved in and quickly gained control of the situation and taken
all the witnesses (including Tsel) away. The funny thing is that no one
else had heard anything about the incident.
While one of the group, a town guard himself, went to the nearest guard
post to inquire about the incident, the rest of the group relaxed at the
loft. Suddenly, the doors to the loft burst inward, and armed people swarmed
the place. The ensuing battle was fierce and quick, and at the end, 2
of the residents and 2 guards were dead, 4 guards and 5 party members
were unconscious and 3 were left to sort out the mess. . . the biggest
problem being that the attackers are dressed as town guard, and town guard
to not break into buildings, shooting to kill. . . The party called on
to Tsel’s underground contacts to help them flee the scene. What
will they do next?
Greg
It seems on Fridays, that an ancient Marked Feeshan artifact has
been stolen, unleashing a curse upon the Land of Feesha, that is causing
big cats to go insane and attack unprovoked. Where has the artifact gone?
Who stole it? Why would they steal it? Will the party find it in time
in order to save Feesha?
Marcus and Scott
A quiet month in Tabur has quickly turned interesting for a group of adventurers
as a job has practically been dropped in their laps by the owner of the
Tabur Raptors, the local professional Lacrosse team. Charged with locating
a missing member of the team, the party combed Tabur, finally locating
the missing person, in a small house in the slums. His captors had no
answers as to why he had been taken, leaving more questions than anwers.
But now one question looms above all, as the athlete returns to his home
to find it abandoned, where is his family and what would anyone want with
them?
Saturday (1st & 3rd)
We currently have two tables. Becky has one space at her table, and Greg
has 2 spaces available at his table.
Becky
Our party’s elaborate plan went into motion! (setting a fire in
the savannah and goading a nearby female Tyrannosaurus Rex into attacking
the Marked Sakeet camp to allow them to get the Rogue Sakeet safely to
the nearest big town) Though there were moments when it looked as if all
was about to fall apart, the plan worked! The fire burned, the T. Rex
rampaged and the Marked Sakeet were thrown into disarray. This enabled
them to lead the Rogue Sakeet to safety.
With that mission completed, we ran a mini-mission where the group successfully
worked their way through the traps and pitfalls of the dreaded Tower of
Hardship! we’re looking forward to our new mission for April.
Greg
Greg's Saturdays are trying to sneak about the evil Bily Bonqa's
secret desert base, looking for the stolen Plaj-E-Tech Super Bike.
They are quickly running out of time though. In order to keep up with
the elusive Bily Bonqa, they have snuck aboard his flying Zeppelin.
Will they get caught before it's too late? Where is it they are being
taken? Only time will tell.
Saturday (2nd & 4th)
The 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month has one regular group (full)
and 1 to 2 tables of training for our assistant program. Assistants (ages
13 and up) play in advanced games that stress the more difficult aspects
of the Abantey game. They are polishing their skills in preparation for
assisting with the summer program.
Dominic & Michael (regular group)
The mansion that the party has been forced to take refuge in turns out
to be the scene of a grand ball, hosted by three generous but odd looking
Plajets. After their first evening, the party realizes that all the guests
but themselves are marked Plajets. John St. John, a guest they met outside
the door, suggests that maybe something is a foot. They spend the next
few days sneaking about the mansion, trying to get into sectioned off
areas, and sleuthing about. They go as far as to follow the three hosts
out into the forests and witness a strange package delivery involving
a Draajen. Right as they think they're onto something, they are ambushed
in their room at night. Apparently their actions were being followed by
the guards of the establishment. After a thorough interrogation, they
are released into the service of the hosts. It turns out that the partygoers
are all trying to escape the individual torments put on them by Os' Plajet
by having a secret mass Rogue-ing. The party’s so called friend,
John St. John, had been using them against the hosts, and is probably
an agent of Os' Plajet! Now it’s up to the party to find John St.
John, who mysteriously disappeared, before he ruins the hosts well crafted
plans...
******************
Rebecca L. Thomas
Director
(510) 654-3582
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