Parkland has its very own personal collection of board games on hand along with the ones that faculty advisor Deane Geiken has in his own personal collection that he is willing to share with the club. Altogether the club has over a hundred different games to choose from. Geiken said the club has games ranging “from Checkers to very complicated games like Wingspan, which takes a few hours to play.”
In addition to the various games they have on hand, Geiken did mention that the club is willing to use club funds, and provide a game you might be interested in trying out. He explained, “All you need to do is ask!”
Aside from the bi-weekly Thursday meetings, the club also has Dungeons and Dragons One-Shot sessions throughout the month. The first one will be held Monday, September 12th also in D026.
Talking with Geiken, the Prospectus learned that the club is even looking to expand its reach beyond just the students and is creating “a faculty only version”.
Photo provided by: Kennedy Potempa, Staff Advisor
The Prospectus also had the opportunity to talk to Isaac Ekberg, the club’s founder. Ekberg has since graduated from Parkland and has a degree from Northern but still takes classes here as a non-degree seeking student.
When asked about his inspiration for starting the club, Ekberg said he had originally restarted the chess club at the school and hadn’t really had much board game experience.
However it was through what might be seen as a twist of fate that Ekberg was given the opportunity by another member of the chess club, Ben Johnson, to experience a broadcast done by Parkland’s radio station.
It was through this experience that Ekberg met Geiken. Ekberg said that the idea for a board game club at Parkland came from a conversation the two had.
As for Ekberg’s hopes for the club on its return from its Covid hiatus, he says that he would “want the club to move back into a high traffic space.”
Ekberg notes that a lot of the club’s members came because they happened to walk past the meeting while it was happening and were interested.
“I’m glad to see the club survived Covid, but if it is to thrive and grow, new people need to see the looks on people’s faces when they play a game.”
Isaac ekberg, on board game club
He goes on to add “That’s the best advertising we could ever put out.”
While Ekberg isn’t the president anymore and isn’t as involved in the club as he used to be or would like to be, he still tries to attend meetings.
With Ekberg no longer acting as president of the club, it is looking to fill the position as well as vice-president, treasurer, and secretary. This offers students who may be looking for some leadership roles and experience the chance to do so in a unique setting.
To top it all off at the very end of this semester the club will be having “almost a day long game day”. The event is open for anyone who is interested. It takes place on December 8th in the Flag Lounge just at the edge of the M-wing and across from M108.
Joining the Board Game Club is super easy, all you have to do is show up! You could also contact the faculty advisor Deane Geiken, or the staff advisor Kennedy Potempa. For more information regarding future meeting dates or general questions about the club, you can check out their newsletter below.