Roll. Play. Grow.
LVL UP Learning is an after-school and summer camp program focused on using role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons to help students develop their social and academic skills.
As collaborative storytelling experiences, role-playing games (RPGs) combine each player’s creative expression with improvised, group problem-solving and story development.
We practice skills such as creative writing, visual art, communication, teamwork, critical thinking, confidence, empathy, and a bit of math as we help our own unique characters overcome fantastic challenges and build our story together.
In our sessions, LVL UP Learning staff will facilitate playing the games, provide all materials and instructions necessary, and conduct mini-lessons to help develop relevant skills.
Participants will have a safe space to use pretend play as older children - an increasingly rare opportunity as children transition to older elementary and middle school - to access new skills, practice existing ones, and have fun doing both.
Here's where we roleplay someone who has questions about LVL UP Learning.
Don't hesitate to ask any we missed!
Don't hesitate to ask any we missed!
Who do you work with?
LVL UP Learning runs programs for Grades 3-8 around California's Bay Area.
Where can I learn more about D&D?
Do I need to buy anything to play?
With us, certainly not. But even on your own, all you need are those free rules, either a set of polyhedral dice or a digital dice rolling site/app, and a couple sheets of paper (or PDF) for your character. Everything else - like books, miniatures, maps, or funny voices - is optional.
Are there other good tabletop role-playing games out there?
Definitely! More than we can count. There's a wide range of mechanics, levels of complexity, and play focus (narrative, investigation, combat, social, etc) to explore based on what you find fun in games. D&D is the most famous, but it's not the best for everyone. Here's a nice list of alternatives, but it's far from exhaustive!
How do I contact you?
Do you want to learn more or inquire as to our availability?
Click the button above or e-mail us at lvluplearningsf [at] gmail [dot] com.
Click the button above or e-mail us at lvluplearningsf [at] gmail [dot] com.
~ Um...what does "LVL UP" mean? ~
LVL is a common gaming abbreviation for "Level."
In most role-playing games, you begin at LVL 1. You have a cause to fight for, a will to succeed, and a few basic tools, but you've yet to grow into the epic hero you're destined to be. As you gain experience on your adventure, your rising "level" represents all you've achieved and how much more you're capable of as a result. With each LVL Up you grow stronger, learn new skills, and find the challenges that seemed insurmountable at the start of your journey feel easier and easier.
When you LVL Up, you prove to yourself and the world how far you've come.
We think that through creative, social games and the right support, there's no limit to the levels a kid can reach.
~ Who are you? ~
LVL UP Learning was founded by a couple dads who love tabletop games and education.
Britton Bounds is a public school teacher with 10+ years of classroom experience, having taught Middle School Science, Technology, and Art (STEAM).
Britton also mentors the Dungeon & Dragons student club at his school. He has been painting tabletop miniatures for over 25 years, since he was a middle schooler himself.
Andrew Carl is a professional writer and editor in comics and graphic novels, whose work has won two Eisners and a Harvey Award. Playing tabletop RPGs is one of his favorite forms of storytelling and his personal +2 greatsword vs. social anxiety.