Why You Should Start a D&D After School Club

Educator Zac Clay talks about running an after school Dungeons & Dragons club and how it builds skills for students like collaboration, creativity and math.

#dnd #dungeonsanddragons

[marimbamonk]

We had so much fun making this video, and I'm so happy to see the positive response to it!! These kids are truly my inspiration and I feel so privileged to be helping and mentoring the next generation of D&D players.


Something that we didn't touch on in this video is how essential it is to have great student leadership in school clubs, and especially a D&D Club. The student DMs you see in this video are the backbone of these clubs, and none of this would have happened without them.
My recommendation for other educators is to find ways to empower your students at every opportunity. By giving your students responsibilities, your job will be made easier, while also making them more invested in the program and allowing them to make it their own.

Please feel free to get in contact if you would like some guidance or consultation on running D&D for students, or if you need a DM for your next game. My contact information is on my channel page :)

[thegodofsilence]

My life would of beeen a thousand times better if I had this after school

[sentientmoss]

Ahhhh! I’m so glad this is finally out! I had so much fun filming it. Playing D&D with my friends is truly one of the most magical things I have ever experienced! I think so many more people would love to play D&D and I value our club so much! I encourage everyone to reach out and start a club with kids in your community, trust me, we love it! Thanks to Zac for the opportunity, and I hope we can inspire even more people to find this amazing game!

[mikecromis]

I have started to use D&D at my disciplinary alternative education campus to build collaboration and communication among students who lack these critical social skills.

[BobWorldBuilder]

Incredibly heartwarming video! I wish I had this in middle school or high school. If you have any unused RPG books, check your local schools to see if they have a club like this to donate to!

[hibiscusflowers]

I can proudly say that my brother was in this. (Heal 11 hit points) he taught me how to Dm (despite me being an aweful dm because i struggle with imagining things) and he has helped me get reinvested into this. D&D is truly life changing.

And big thanks to you mr. Zac for introducing D&D to me first. I was truly Amazed about this type of thing. I now always look forward to being able to play D&D

[sirendafox]

This is wholesome as heck. Love it
AAAAH THE KID IN THE ELVEN COSTUME AT 0.56 I LOVE IT

[kallykat]

I'm an 8th grade English teacher. Last year, I started teaching an elective class at my school called "Collaborative Storytelling" because I had several students who were into D&D. A few of my experienced 8th graders were the DMs for the younger middle schoolers. The students had a blast, and they keep asking me to bring it back again this year.

[silasb]

This was a ton of fun to participate in and I hope that this helps to encourage more people to start their own D&D clubs and campaigns at their schools! Big thank you to Zac for giving us this opportunity!!!

[KatyG]

I’m a teacher and run our school’s D&D club. We have 5 DMs across students and staff and it’s been a beautiful journey.
There’s been real bonding that’s gone on around the table and it has become a really safe space for so many students.
I’m really proud of what has been achieved with the club. It’s so much more than just a game.

[Blandco]

I love that dragon reading a book at :24. There so many options for inexpensive miniatures as a starting point. An excellent time for a kid to get into the hobby.

[sigma_azn]

Great video! Always good to see more people enjoying D&D for the first time

[nordicson]

My kids and thier friends are my group, for the last 3 years... every Thursday, they come over, get thier homework done. I cook dinner, or we order out, watch Critical Role rebroadcast , begin around 7, play till 9 and then the kids watch Stranger things and that is our plan.

[InstantReplayLive]

This is an absolutely great thing to promote and I wish D&D hadn't ended the D&D Beyond free books program for schools/libraries.

[harrisongraden]

As someone who ran a club two years in a row, my recommendation for larger schools, if you have open tables (anyone can join) I would separate it into sections by year. The seniors are not going to want to play the same type of game as the freshman, (or the 7th grader if the middle school is connected). Obviously if they want to put a private group together don’t stop them.

[nicholasvidmar]

If your school doesn't have one of these, check your public library. Many have or are open to starting D&D clubs.

[parkersoughers]

This Turned out awesome, Thanks zac for the opprotunity to be a part of this project

[TakManSan]

Great video! We had a D&D club in middle school back in ‘83! Great way to get a break from school even just during lunch period.

[charmtodoroki]

I just started one at my school, are first meeting is tomorrow!

[Bedbugs_bite]

I’m so jealous of this as a nerd currently in senior highschool if I ever become an educator I hope to organise what this man has done 👏