MARQUETTE – The Peter White Public library has kicked off its first summer Dungeons and Dragons Jr. campaign. The event sees kids going into fourth or fifth grade register and play in a series of four Dungeons and Dragons games that span biweekly over the course of seven weeks.

“D&D, particularly D&D Junior, is about getting kids out of their shell,” said PWPL library staff and orchestrator of D&D Jr., Grace Champion. “Kids like to play pretend because they feel like they can step out of themselves … They are in this fantasy otherworldly cooler suave idea of themselves.”

Dungeons and Dragons is a tabletop roleplaying game where players tell a joint story with a dungeon master, the narrative leader and referee of the game. Players create a character and explore a fantasy world created by and run by the DM, and together the player and DM weave a narrative and adventure.

“I think kids learn a lot of social skills from Dungeons and Dragons,” Champion said.

Often during sessions, Champion will witness shy kids or those with trouble expressing themselves will begin to open up and work as a group.

“There were a lot of kids that were improving and bouncing off of each other,” said Champion. “They would even go through a mini scenario with each other before going back to the game.”

A single adventure that lasts only one session is a “one shot” and an adventure that lasts a handful of sessions is a campaign. PWPL offers a four session campaign in the summer, fall, winter and spring with one shots throughout. Each session goes from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m and is scheduled to be held on July 8, July 22 and Aug. 5 with more to be scheduled in the fall. Those interested need only register as there is no cost and materials are provided.

Questions about this event can be directed to the Youth Services Department by calling 906-226-4323 or emailing ysdesk@pwpl.info.