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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 8:57AM
#1
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Date Joined:
Feb 18, 2010
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So I decided I am going to DM for some of the kids at the scout group I help out at. this will be after school and last about an hour per session.
I think I am a competent enough DM and have been DM'ing for about 5 years now, and have introduced a few people to D&D 4th edition quite well. The campaign I have in mind in set in my own continent of Drecovak, I have ran campaigns before within the world so feel confident using it. first of all, I’m torn between witch edition of D&D to use either 4th or D&D next. i am familiar with 4th ed and am confident using it. on the other hand I really like the direction that D&D next is taking and would love to introduce D&D to the kids in that format, the only drawback is that it is not complete yet. I ask for your feedback.
If there is anyone with advice, maybe you yourself have DM'd for kids, anyone can give it will be appreciated. Thanks in advance Tom EDIT: Just to clarify for everyone, The children are aged from about 9 to 12. the game does not run on a pack night but after school at the local library. the parents consent id required and i have provided a simple overview of the game and how it can be beneficial to thier children, improve social skills, maths, decision making etc. I will not be describing the gore of the battles nor will i be using bad language. i have been helping within scouts for a long time. i am capable of taking care of children and allowing them to have fun. I mearly want advice from people that may have run for children before, and ask for advice. The children have watched films before, they have played video games bith which depict violence. both at the descression of thier parents. Am i responsable for the children when they are in my care? Yes, but i will not be alone there will be another adult present. Am i responsable for a parent sending thier child to play D&D? No it is their desision for thier child, and i will try to make it enjoyable. Also children are not idiots I think they can pick up the game, and quickly, no matter which edition i use. its also not like im going to throw the rule book at them and tell them to learn it. sorry for long edit.
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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 1:46PM
#2
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Date Joined:
Sep 25, 2011
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how old are they? 4th is going to be really tough for younger kids to grasp, especially with such a limited time for sessions.
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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 2:20PM
#3
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Personally i never let kids get into DnD. Cut off age for me is 16. Childrens minds are too vulnerable. They should be socializing, running around not rolling dices. Treat the game like the movie ratings. Seeing violence on the screen and seeing violence in their own imagination are the same thing, especially when they are the actors in the game. I take this very seriously. Especially at a boyscout group & without parental consent? That is empitome of irresponsibility as boyscout leader. Thats not something you would want others to do with your kids you entrusted to a organization promoting outdoor activities, exceptable social behavior etc..
May seriously consider this. Decision should be whats good for the kids in line with parental expectations and not what you want to do. Even as a helper, you are responsible & liable for the organization.
Sorry, im sure thats not the answer u wanted to hear..
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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 2:25PM
#4
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Date Joined:
Jul 18, 2009
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16 seems high, I started at 13. Parents permission would be good to get though, as I can imagine some would object.
I have never played 4E. Or 3.5E. Or 3E. Or 2E. Or 1E. Or OD&D. Therefore, assume all my posts are non edition specific.
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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 2:27PM
#5
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Date Joined:
Sep 25, 2011
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I think Ghost007 couldn't be more wrong in a half a dozen ways, but to each his own, I guess. As a note, I too was a Boy Scout and went away to Scout summer camp, and the summer our scout leader played D&D with us was amazing. And it didn't stop us from going on swamp hikes and learning about red efts and archery and lifesaving all the other outdoorsy stuff...in fact, there was probably a pretty powerful synergy between our Scout activities and the stuff we were interested in in D&D.
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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 2:55PM
#6
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I think Ghost007 couldn't be more wrong in a half a dozen ways, but to each his own, I guess. As a note, I too was a Boy Scout and went away to Scout summer camp, and the summer our scout leader played D&D with us was amazing. And it didn't stop us from going on swamp hikes and learning about red efts and archery and lifesaving all the other outdoorsy stuff...in fact, there was probably a pretty powerful synergy between our Scout activities and the stuff we were interested in in D&D.
Just because it turned out well for you does not excuse responsibility & liability of individuals working in & representing a organization such as Boy Scout of America. No one should use their position in a organization involving taking care of other peoples children as a platform to do what he/she wants with the children without the expressed approval of the organization & the parents.
What you do with your children is up to you. What you do with other peoples children is not entirely up to you.
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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 3:12PM
#7
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Date Joined:
Sep 25, 2011
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It's your bigger premise that's wrong--that D&D is dangerous, risky, possibly damaging, etc. In your initial post, you didn't primarily take issue with his procedure for obtaining parental permission; you said blatantly false and misleading things like "Childrens (sic) minds are too vulnerable" and wrongly depicting playing D&D as precluding outdoor play; worst of all, you implied that the sort of mild violence built into D&D was damaging, and topped it off by hinting that playing D&D reduced a child's ability to develop "exceptable (sic)" social behavior.
And to top it off, the original poster didn't even say he hadn't obtained parental permission. Maybe he has.
Let's stop jumping to conclusions and promoting a pack of 80s-style myths and lies about the "dangers" and "risks" of D&D.
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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 3:21PM
#8
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Date Joined:
Jul 18, 2009
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Wow, I didn't even notice the acceptable behaviour section. That makes the post a whole lot worse, especially coming from a player.
I have never played 4E. Or 3.5E. Or 3E. Or 2E. Or 1E. Or OD&D. Therefore, assume all my posts are non edition specific.
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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 3:57PM
#9
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It's your bigger premise that's wrong--that D&D is dangerous, risky, possibly damaging, etc. In your initial post, you didn't primarily take issue with his procedure for obtaining parental permission; you said blatantly false and misleading things like "Childrens (sic) minds are too vulnerable" and wrongly depicting playing D&D as precluding outdoor play; worst of all, you implied that the sort of mild violence built into D&D was damaging, and topped it off by hinting that playing D&D reduced a child's ability to develop "exceptable (sic)" social behavior.
And to top it off, the original poster didn't even say he hadn't obtained parental permission. Maybe he has.
Let's stop jumping to conclusions and promoting a pack of 80s-style myths and lies about the "dangers" and "risks" of D&D.
I apologize if my 1st post was mis-leading to you. I didnt mean it precludes outdoor activity. What I meant was in the context of parental expectation of what their kids be doing at a scout camp. In that light, "dangers" & "myth" of DnD for kids isn't for you, me or anyone else to define and implement to other peoples kids while holding a position of authority in an organization such as Boy Scouts. Its for the kids parents to decide. They may not want it for their kids. Simple. How we feel about it is irrelevant.
I am not saying DnD is bad for kids. I'm just saying before the OP implements a DnD game to kids placed in his care at the camp, he should seriously get the approval from the person in charge (organizational approval) & in turn organization can inform parents and/or obtain consents or what have you. Not everyone is DnD fan after-all, and parents didn't sign their kids up to Boy Scouts to learn DnD, or expect them to even take a "guess" at it.
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4 months ago ::
Jan 20, 2013 - 4:26PM
#10
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I do believe 4e had a simplified rules package published in one of the Ezines for use with younger kids. Might want to look into that if you're gonna introduce them to the rules sets. The complexity would also allow the shorter time frame a bit of leeway as well. Aside from that, one of the board games might be a better idea than one of the systems itself. Either one of Ravenloft or Ashardalon is simple enough to grasp if there's a rules jockey to help through the chunky bits. Hope this helps. Happy Gaming 
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