Hob’s Hobbies to debut new summer camp

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There is a new summer camp option in Strathmore for youth who are seeking something somewhat unconventional.

Hob’s Hobbies, Strathmore’s local tabletop gaming hub and café, will be hosting their inaugural Nerd Summer Camp throughout the course of the season. 

“It is something that is good for kids, especially for teenagers, and there are not as many things for teenagers to do around here in the summer as one would hope,” said John Hilton-O’Brien, who owns and operates Hob’s Hobbies. “I suggested that perhaps we should consider doing a summer camp for kids using things like Dungeons and Dragons. One of the secrets about these games is that they are a sneaky kind of education. Anytime you play a game like D&D, or collectible card games like Pokémon or Magic, you are learning how to do math in your head, [and] you are learning how to do rapid reading and comprehension.”

The camps will be run largely by Josie Glasrud, who often spends her time helping with the store, and is a Level 2 Childhood Educator. 

“I am having a hard time getting a job right now and we realized that the summer camp options in town, there really are not that many,” said Glasrud. “Our plan for the summer camp is every week, have Tuesday to Friday sessions … [kids] are getting their own mini figures that we are going to spend the morning painting, there are going to be activities such as a movie … we are going to the park or the baseball diamond, as well as playing D&D in the afternoons to work on some of those math and reading skills.”

Hilton-O’Brien added games such as D&D also help to build social and teamwork skills, as well as help kids explore identities. 

“It teaches them how to get along in a group – it teaches them quite a bit of problem-solving skills; there is a whole lot that goes into these games besides fun, but they are fun,” he said. 

The team is currently looking at running the camps throughout July and August, every week depending on responses from the community. 

He explained pricing for the camps was aimed to be as low as possible, but still able to be justified for the business. Information regarding open spaces for campers, activities, and scheduling is available by contacting Hob’s Hobbies.