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Patrick Lafortune, longtime Dungeon Master at the Lennoxville Library, leads a group of eager young adventurers through a Dungeons & Dragons session, fostering creativity and teamwork among local children.
Lennoxville Library invites kids to explore Dungeons & Dragons challenges
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Lennoxville Library is set to host an exciting event aimed at introducing local children to the world of tabletop role-playing games. On Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., children aged 8 to 12 will have the opportunity to participate in an Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) session at the library. The session, organized by the library, promises to be a fun and educational experience that promotes creativity and teamwork among young participants.
Tailored for young players
The event is part of a larger initiative that has been running at the library for several years. Christian Collins, the Lennoxville Library coordinator, emphasized in a recent interview the importance of such activities in sparking creativity and building community among the youth. “D&D is a whole other kind of amazing terrain for the imagination, especially for kids. It allows them to engage in world-building and come together in ways that spark their creativity,” said Collins.
The upcoming events will be led by two dedicated Dungeon Masters (DMs): Patrick Lafortune, a seasoned D&D player with over 30 years of experience, and Fabrice Juhasz, a student in the education program at Bishop’s University. Juhasz will focus on short introductory games for younger children, while Patrick will run more sustained campaigns for older participants. The duo aims to provide an engaging and structured experience that caters to both beginners and those who want to delve deeper into the world of Dungeons & Dragons.
A deep dive into D&D
Lafortune has been a long-time DM at the library, running initiation groups for local children for the last few years. Reflecting on his role in an interview, he shared his passion for the game and its lasting appeal: “I’ve been playing since the second edition of D&D, and for me, that era was the golden age of creativity. There were so many books, so many adventures, and the possibilities were endless,” said Lafortune.
Lafortune’s sessions typically revolve around both pre-made adventures and his own creations. He uses a mix of official content from the game’s earlier editions and his own innovative scenarios. His ability to balance both structured and imaginative play is a key element of what makes his sessions unique. “It’s always a 50-50 for me,” he explained. “I use official adventures, but I also bring in my own creations, which allows for a richer and more dynamic experience for the players.”
As an example of potential gameplay, Lafortune has guided children through a scenario where they must protect a fort from an impending attack. The adventure will introduce players to the game’s basic mechanics, such as rolling dice, taking damage, and healing. “I build foam-core dioramas to help kids visualize the setting. In one session, they had to defend a fort against a small dragon, orcs, and ogres. Through this, they get to know the mechanics of the game, such as initiative and team collaboration,” he explained.
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Detailed dioramas created by Patrick Lafortune, used in his Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, help young players immerse themselves in the fantasy world as they tackle quests.
Creativity and collaboration
One of the unique aspects of Dungeons & Dragons is its ability to foster both creative expression and social skills. Lafortune and Collins both pointed to the game’s benefits in promoting communication, teamwork, and problem-solving among young players. “When kids sit around the table, even the shyest ones are given a chance to express themselves,” said Lafortune. “Everyone shines at some point, whether through their combat skills or their clever solutions to puzzles. It’s a beautiful game for bringing people out of their shells.”
Collins echoed this sentiment, noting that D&D offers a rich environment for children to build on their creativity. “It’s not just about rolling dice or fighting monsters. D&D teaches kids to think critically and work together to overcome challenges,” he said. Additionally, Collins highlighted the game’s community-building aspect, particularly in a bilingual region like Lennoxville. “It’s wonderful to see both Anglophone and Francophone kids coming together, often forgetting they’re learning a second language because they’re so absorbed in the game.”
The evolution of D&D at Lennoxville Library
The Dungeons & Dragons program at the library began in 2020 when Lafortune approached Collins with the idea of holding game sessions for the community. Since then, it has steadily grown, with more and more children signing up each year. The demand has been so high that the library recently expanded the program to offer more frequent sessions.
“We were originally doing it just once a month, but it became clear that we needed to offer more,” said Collins. “With Fabrice now involved, we’re able to provide twice-monthly sessions for younger children, while Patrick continues to lead the more advanced campaigns for older kids.”
Looking ahead
For those interested in the program, Collins emphasizes that advance sign-up is required to ensure a spot in the sessions. Parents can register their children through the library’s online platform, and they are encouraged to sign up early, as spaces tend to fill quickly.
As the Lennoxville Library continues to offer more diverse programming, Collins is optimistic about the future. “Whether it’s through reading or games like D&D, our goal is to offer young people a space where their imaginations can run wild,” he said.