nerd club

One of the staff members at the middle school talked me into leading "Card Club" as one of the enrichment activities after school.  Everyone at this school comes to me when they need stuff because I am such a sucker and can be talked into anything.  Don't get the wrong impression by thinking that they abuse my time.  I freely volunteer for a lot of things because I love hanging out with kids and I am genuinely up for a new challenge.

So back to Card Club... when they asked me to do it, I thought to myself, "This will be a piece of cake."  I already had plenty card games for therapy purposes.  I imagined that the extent of my efforts would be brushing up on my Uno and Go Fish skills.  Boy, was I ever wrong....

So I quickly learned that the population of students coming to Card Club would not have any interest in the card games I had to offer.  As self proclaimed "Nerds", this group of 7th and 8th boys had expected to play card games that I had no knowledge or skills in.  Ever heard of the card game, Magic?  Well, I hadn't and was in for quite the shock when I learned that this game would be the one we would be playing.

So the students in this club sort of renamed the club to be "Nerd Club"... for obvious reasons.  Magic is a game that to me, seems very similar to Dungeons and Dragons.  The students in this club are mostly avid collectors.  Some bring shoeboxes and extra backpacks full of what looks like at least a thousand cards.   There are so many rules and ways to attack an opponent.  You have monsters and swamps and have to build your own deck.  There are even some illegal cards, though I couldn't identify them to you.  Most of them already know how to play, and are very helpful and willing to teach the new comers.  Many have tried to teach me the complex rules of the game.  Their attempts are in vain.  I have decided that I do not have the IQ to learn the ins and outs of Magic.  This is not disappointing to me, I am completely fine with it.

If you so dare, here is a link to some rules for Magic Card Game:

http://www.wizards.com/magic/rules/en_8e_rulebook.pdf

The most important thing I have gotten out of my experience leading Nerd Club is the fact that I have come to love hanging out with this group of kids.  Never in my life did I think that I would be leading a club that plays "Magic the Gathering".  Next thing you know I will be leading LARP groups around the school.  Not only are these kids smart (that's a give in), but they are kind, and sensitive.  I honestly thought qualities like that didn't exist in 13 and 14 year old boys.  I find myself looking forward to Thursdays when we meet.  I often go to Walmart to buy booster packs for the guys because they get so excited when I have them (for Lincoln fans, you can locate these booster packs on check aisle 18 at the North Walmart).  It makes me feel cool (in a nerdy sort of way).  So my thought for the day is never say never and never just a book (or card deck) by its cover... you just might find a new hobby!