What is Charisma Camp?
Charisma Camp is a program that helps children learn and practice social and life skills through table-top role-playing games (TTRPGs).
In each session, children play as characters in a story and work together to solve challenges. By learning through play, children feel more at ease to try new behaviors without the added pressure of real consequences. From there, we aim to help them gradually apply these skills in real life.
How is this different from just playing a game?
It isn’t. And that is exactly the point!
Kids don’t need to be tricked into learning through play. Play is already learning through direct experience. As Maria Montessori puts it, “Play is the work of the child.”
It is my hope that not all life lessons have to be learned painfully, but rather, playfully.
What are the requirements to join?
- Participants must understand and speak English fluently
- Participants must be able to attend sessions unaccompanied
- Participants must attend a screening interview with a facilitator to ensure suitability
What does a typical session look like?
Generally, at the start of each session, 15 minutes are dedicated to review the goals for the session and recapping the previous session. We then play for about 90 minutes. At the end, we take 15 minutes to reflect on what happened in the session.
When and where does it happen?
Every Saturday, 9.00am – 11.00am @ Chengal Centre, Sunway Geo Avenue
How much is it?
RM150 per child for a 2 hour session
I have heard that TTRPGs such as Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) have dark themes. Is this appropriate for children?
There are many TTRPGs, such as DnD, which have some violent and dark themes. One of the major strengths of TTRPGs is their flexibility, which means we can customize the theme and contents of any adventure as we see fit.
An example interaction
GM: “Your group stands before the council. The loudest knight speaks first and declares the plan without asking anyone else.”
Adam: “We march at dawn. There is no time for debate.”
Cass: “I… think there might be another way. Maybe if we—”
Adam: “We don’t need another way. My plan will work.”
Sean: “I step forward and say, ‘I respect your confidence, but I disagree. I’ve scouted the road ahead, and I believe a quieter route will keep us safer.’”
GM: “The room grows quiet. The council turns to listen.”
Nicole: “I add, ‘We all want the same outcome. Let’s hear every option before we decide.’”
GM: “The knight (Adam) pauses, then nods. The discussion opens—and the party chooses together.”
An example debrief (at the end of a session)
GM: “When Adam (the knight) dismissed your idea, what were you feeling in that moment?”
Cass: “I hesitated. I didn’t want to cause conflict.”
GM: “If you could replay it, how might you respond more assertively?”
Cass: “I could clearly state my idea and explain why it matters, instead of backing off.”
GM: “Exactly. Assertiveness is expressing what you feel and think, even when it feels uncomfortable. Do you want to give it another try?”