What will I learn in a Dragon Haven D&D class?
Dungeons & Dragons is the most popular tabletop roleplaying game in the world, with a current estimate of well over ten million active players. D&D can be complicated for newcomers, but Dragon Haven teaches the game in a beginner-friendly way. In fact, most Dragon Haven participants are first time players! All Dragon Haven players are provided with digital access to the 384-page Player's Handbook (2024 edition) and many other optional rulebooks. Players are given personalized support in creating a D&D character using five official steps (Choose a Class, Determine Origin, Determine Ability Scores, Choose an Alignment, Fill In Details). Learning how to play the game is accomplished, naturally, through play! Every class, players will be provided with social interaction, combat and exploration challenges to overcome. These story-based challenges change with every class!
Even though players will have powerful spells and magical weapons at their disposal, the most critical skills for succeeding at Dungeons & Dragons are not covered in the rulebooks. Unlike the majority of games, D&D is a cooperative, collaborative game. Therefore, Dragon Haven emphasizes the acquisition of teamwork and communication skills above all else.
How does Dragon Haven foster teamwork and communication skills?
Dragon Haven classes provide more than just a game to play. To support the acquisition of both gameplay and social skills, Dragon Haven classes provide the supporting structure to lift up all voices.
- Small class sizes (3-5 players).
- Dedicated roundtable check-in and debriefing periods in each class. Each class starts with a check-in (icebreaker-style) question, review of our "Guild Contract" and "Player Goals," story recap, and Q&A. Each class ends with a review of Player Goal progress, spotlights to honor the contribution of other players, a take-away or lesson learned from the class, and a hope for the following class.
- Review of classroom rules a.k.a. the "Guild Contract." Every Dragon Haven class agrees to the following expectations: 1) You can take a break anytime, no explanations necessary. 2) If you feel uncomfortable during any discussion, you can halt the conversation by saying "X-card" or making an "X" with your hands in front of the screen, to let other players know this is not a safe topic. No explanation for why is needed. 3) If players share private details about themselves in group, we won't share these outside of group. Our story about our characters is okay to share.
- Establishment of shared classroom expectations. Whenever a new participant joins a class, or at any time, players may decide on additional shared expectations to be added to the "Guild Contract." Examples include topics to be avoided in and out of the game's story (e.g. spiders, politics), team rules (e.g. the division of treasure), or addressing conflict (e.g. voting on decisions).
- All players establish a personal Player Goal. D&D players need to work together to win the game, but this can be a struggle without the appropriate support. Dragon Haven recognizes the vast potential collaborative games like D&D offer participants to practice communication skills that are applicable both inside and outside the game, from problem-solving to socializing, assertiveness to attentive listening. Participants identify and share a personal communication goal with the intent to achieve it over the course of the class period (e.g. "I will ask for someone else's opinion before taking an action that could affect others.") Through support from the facilitator and the encouragement of other players, participants practice and develop these skills, before setting new achievement goals. Dragon Haven utilizes the Heroic Inspiration rule (a game mechanic that rewards players with free dice re-rolls) to encourage their pursuit of Player Goals.
- Supportive Atmosphere. Dragon Haven welcomes all participants from various cultures, backgrounds and abilities.
- Accessible Support. Participants are provided with facilitator contact information and are encouraged to reach out for help with character creation, gameplay questions and player goal identification. One-on-one virtual meetings are offered upon request.
Active members (those enrolled in an ongoing program at $45/week) will also receive the following benefits:
- A free trial class and a 48-hour window after the first paid class to cancel with no obligation
- One-on-one support in creating new D&D characters and rule review (scheduling required)
- Initial and quarterly check-ins to discuss your personal growth goals (scheduling required)
- Access to Dragon Haven's extensive digital library at DnDBeyond, the official online marketplace of Dungeons & Dragons
- An invitation to join your class channel on Discord (parental permission required for minors)
- Facilitator contact information for out-of-class questions and support
- Facilitator support in organizing peer-led virtual and in-person activities with other members of Dragon Haven
- Facilitator support for participants interested in becoming a Game Master and leading their own D&D campaigns
Current Services
D&D Therapeutic Recreation Class
Duration: 6-14 weeks, one 90-minute session each week
Pricing: $45 per participant per session (an interview session and an introductory gameplay session for new clients and a goal review following each group series is included in the weekly fee)
Private Groups & Lessons
Duration and pricing varies, contact dan@dragonhaven.org for more information
