Board Game Club:
8 Week Relationship Building Course for Tweens

  • Format: In-person
  • Delivery: Facilitated
  • Length: Deep Dive
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Tuesdays After School from 4 pm - 6 pm
8 Sessions this Winter- 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/31, 4/7
Course overview
Are you in 5th-7th grade? Are you interested in board games, meeting new people, and building confidence? JOIN BOARD GAME CLUB!

Parents: Sign your child up for a multi week experience of intentional board game play rooted in therapeutic understanding of relationships, taught by educator turned therapist. 

In Board Game Club your child gets 16 hours of social-emotional support at the cost effective price of $45 per hour!
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  • Facilitators: Rory Dushman
  • Recorded Video: Optional trainings for parents
  • Activities: 2 hours per week for 8 weeks
  • Total Time: 16 hours
  • Recommended Prior: none

Is Board Game Club right for your child?

  • Do they thrive in a healthy balance of intentional structure and the freedom to explore?


  • Are you looking for opportunities for your kiddo to engage with attentive and inspired mentors?


  • Having difficulty finding an inclusive and non-judgmental environment where the "journey" and experience replace working towards a medal or award?

  • Looking for chances for your child to build camaraderie and celebrate our uniqueness?

  • Is your child looking for a low-stakes environment to connect with peers, focused on fun and connection?

  • Are you looking for an opportunity for your child to build commitment and friendships, where there is no difference between a "practice" and a "big game"?

  • Are you struggling to get your child off their screen and engaged with others?

  • Is it difficult to find a space where competitiveness and cooperation are equally valued and fostered?


If you find yourself answering yes to one or more of the above, The Board Game Club is here for your child!  
  • Now enrolling 5th-7th graders
  • 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/31, 4/7
  • Now Children meet on Tuesdays from 4-6:00pm at
    Louisville Family Center's Community Room:
    1436 Main Street, Louisville, CO
Have questions?  Enter your email address below and we'll connect to set up a free 15 minute phone call to help you determine if The Club is a good fit for you and your child!
Thank you!
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Why join Board Game Club?

Board Game Club is all about building confidence and community through the power of play... and nerding out, of course 🤓. Our inclusive approach celebrates individuals' unique qualities and challenges creative intellect. We foster a growth mindset and social skill building through the guise of PLAY!

  • Improve Communication
  • Grow confidence & self-advocacy
  • Connect with community & build friendships
  • Small group, directive support
  • Hands-on and experiential integration
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Course Format

The club meets after school on Tuesdays for 2 hours sessions. We will engage in teambuilders, icebreakers, and most importantly, learn and play some incredible and unique board games.

Adolescents interested in playing board games and building friendships -- this is for you, and all levels and experiences are welcome!

More Information about the Afterschool Club

    • The Club consists of one small group of up to 6 children with one therapist guiding the group (see below). 
    • Throughout the 8 weeks, the kids will learn and play a combination of co-operative and competitive board games, supported as they navigate various relationships and opportunities to interact.
    • Facilitators will directly offer new ways to relate and connect, including modeling and fostering healthy social interactions, leadership opportunities, respect, creative problem-solving, conflict transformation, integrity, empathy, and celebrating all participants and outcomes. 
Patrick Jones - Course author
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What sort of games are we talking?

Parents - get ready to add some new games to that "wish list". Each week, we will learn or work to master a new game, with opportunities to replay the most beloved. Board games have been vetted and hand-selected with intention by our self-proclaimed Board Game Enthusiast. 
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From simple to complex, the eclectic variety of games will challenge your kids to think outside of the box, connect as friends and foes, and foster a broadening of perspectives. Get ready to embrace and celebrate all of our emotions on this rollercoaster of logic, luck, skill, creativity, adventure, and general silliness"
- Rory Dushman MFTC, MA, BGE


Is this a Social Skills Group?

At Louisville Family Center & Tandem Learning, we're revolutionizing the concept of social skills groups for children. Drawing insights from neuroscience, human development, mindfulness, and authentic communication-based therapeutic methods, we aim to redefine the landscape of what it means to build authentic social skills. 
Traditional social skills groups have historically employed a behaviorist approach to teach individuals the 'correct' ways of engaging with others. Behaviorist approaches can often lead to the expectation of concealing parts of oneself (masking) or engaging in superficial actions merely to gain acceptance and love. Many of these practices have been rightfully criticized as abusive within the neurodivergent community. It's crucial to acknowledge these shortcomings.

Rather than adhering strictly to societal norms that promote self concealment and masking, which can exacerbate emotional distress and create distance in relationships, our focus is on empowering individuals to create self-awareness. Connecting with oneself more clearly fosters a deeper understanding and articulation of one's needs within relationship, allowing more satisfying connections with others.
Research has shown that genuine connection to others promotes better mental health. Genuine connection to others means feeling that we can bring our authentic self to relationships and have the tools to work through the inevitable conflicts that arise. 
Our goal is to equip children with tools for self-discovery and meaningful connections, enabling them to navigate the world feeling valued for who they are.

Through Board Game Club, children will learn to identify and communicate their needs effectively in relationships and develop the resilience to address conflicts and work as an individual in a group. These tools serve as an imperative and important foundation for their future, guiding them well into adulthood.
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Parents- don't forget to get support for yourself

When you enroll your child you will be offered the opportunity to purchase access to our online courses! Be sure to select the package that is right for you.
When you watch one of our online courses you get access to tools & strategies that support your family AND you. Here are just some of the courses:

Challenging Behavior 101

Healthy Relationships 102


Neurodiversity: Understanding Human variation
LGBTQ Q&A:
Supporting Identity Development
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Who is the group facilitator?

I’m a former educator turned family and play therapist who believes deeply in the power of connection through play. Whether it’s a cooperative game, a spontaneous laugh, or a well-earned victory, I love watching relationships grow around the table. I’m especially passionate about supporting neurodiverse kids and creating inclusive spaces where everyone’s unique strengths are celebrated.

As someone who learns best through doing, I’m always curious about how games can help us build confidence, communicate more clearly, and feel more at ease in groups. I see every game as a chance to grow, connect, and have a great time doing it.
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Rory Dushman MFTC, MA, BGE

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