Friday Classes (3:30 - 5:30)

Brain Benders: (Grades K-1) This Mensa Select series is for children age 5 to 7 that have shown an interest in games that involve strategic thinking. Your gamers will be introduced to classic games and strategy basics all designed to promote linear mathematical concepts, working memory, and perceptual organization. Throughout the program, participants will focus on practicing good sportsmanship while simultaneously having fun trying to outwit and out-strategize their opponents. Game List may include: Mancala, Senet, Look Look, Mine Shift, Qwirkle, Dizios, Yikerz, Sleeping Queens, Gin Rummy, Chess, Bakers Dozen, Loot, Tsuro, Sushi Go, Carcassonne.

Mind Masters: (Grades 2-4) This problem-solving series is for children age 7 to 9 that have either completed Brain Benders or demonstrate an affinity for strategic thinking. We introduce these gamers to a wide range of game genres from ancient strategy to modern board games. Throughout the program players will explore deeper strategy elements and multidimensional thinking. As always, participants will also focus on issues of ‘good sportsmanship’ while simultaneously trying to outwit and out strategize their opponents. Games may include: 7 Wonders, Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, Scrabble, Boggle, Sushi Go!, Splendor, Dragonwood, Machi Koro, Ticket to Ride, Small World.

Strategy Specialists: (Grades 4-6) This problem-solving series is for children age 9 to 11 that have either completed Mind Masters or demonstrate an affinity for strategic thinking. We introduce these gamers to a wide range of game genres from ancient strategy to modern board games. Throughout the program players will explore deeper strategy elements and multidimensional thinking. As always, participants will also focus on issues of ‘good sportsmanship’ while simultaneously trying to outwit and out strategize their opponents. Games may include: 7 Wonders, Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, Sushi Go!, Splendor, Dragonwood, Machi Koro, Ticket to Ride, Strat-o-matic.

Chess I: Developing minds learn how pieces move and how to organize approach and defense in this introduction to chess and related abstract strategy games. No experience is necessary and time is dedicated to learning these games in small group play. Each class is spent playing both chess and games like Yn, Dvonn, Punct, Hive and Othello.

Introduction to RPGs: (Grades 3+) This program will introduce players to the core concepts of tabletop role play and teach the rules of a few beginner-friendly game systems. Tabletop Roleplaying Games (RPGs) are narrative game systems that encourage cooperation, decision-making and creative thinking. RPG players are immersed in a shared story-telling experience as they work together to overcome obstacles and solve problems. Game systems may include: Hero Kids, No Thank You Evil!, Do: Pilgrims of the Flying Temple, Microscope, Dungeon Crawl Classics and Dungeons & Dragons.

Dungeons & Dragons: 

We invite young participants to unleash their creativity and enhance their storytelling abilities through the exciting world of Dungeons & Dragons. Under the guidance of a seasoned Dungeon Master from Brooklyn Strategist, participants can fully immerse themselves in the game's rich narratives and complex mechanics.

Beginner: This club is perfect for those with a keen interest in learning and playing the acclaimed tabletop role-playing game on a regular basis. With the guidance of a skilled Dungeon Master from Brooklyn Strategist, prior knowledge of the game is not a prerequisite, but a high interest in learning is essential.

Advanced: We also offer an opportunity for experienced players to further delve into the intricate world of Dungeons & Dragons. This club is intended for young participants who have prior experience playing the game and wish to engage in weekly sessions. 

Comic Creation and Design: (ages 8+) Sequential Artwork is an art form that conveys a story through graphics and visuals in a sequence. Comics are one of the most widely recognized forms of sequential artwork, but storyboarding, instruction manuals, and graphic novels are also works that fall under the umbrella of sequential artwork. In this course, we will learn basic comic making/sequential artwork fundamentals over the span of eight classes. Beginners and experienced artists alike are all welcome to join. 

RPG Design: The aim of this program is to guide participants in creating artwork that brings their own creative RPG visions to life. This course is designed to complement the strengths of our existing RPG programming by introducing a new artistic perspective to the participants' games. Through enhancing visualization skills, the program will deepen participants' engagement and enrich their gaming experience, allowing them to see and interact with their imagined worlds in new and exciting ways.

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Card Strategy Specialists (Magic: The Gathering): (Grades 3+) This advanced card game program is for veterans of our After School programs and older kids that are interested in more complicated strategy games. A wide range of game categories are explored in a progressive curriculum with the intent of playing a complex variety of card mechanics, subject matter and strategies. Students will continue to develop their strategic thinking, planning and good sportsmanship as they play both competitive and cooperative games. Students will learn to build decks, play with pre-constructed decks, and draft decks.

Introduction to Warhammer: (Grades 3+) In this introductory program for students in 3rd grade or older, players will be exposed to the two worlds of the Warhammer Universe: Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40K. They will receive a set of models for the world and faction they choose, and will spend the rest of the trimester learning to build, paint and play with their models. Students will learn the basics of model painting and tactical miniatures game play. (Included with registration fee: one set of models for new students and weekly Saturday Brunchhammer attendance.)