It is both paradoxical and inspirational to see people staying at The Sheds, at night, get out the card games and board games on offer.
Paradoxical because though we do have internet connectivity, we encourage its non-use. After all, what’s the point of getting away from it all if you’re simply going to replicate life as usual.
Inspirational because one of the main advantages of coming to our tucked-away corner of The Tararua’s is to put yourself in a different headspace, give yourself the luxury of interacting with fellow human beings in a different way.
That’s where our board games are so much fun, (and provide so much intangible value).
For anyone that’s playing, these games are all-inclusive. They ‘force’ communication in a good way. They are safe ways for people to be goodies, baddies, ‘in danger’, winners and losers...and nobody dies, nobody holds a grudge (hopefully!)
With screens tucked away and forgotten, our card and board games are face-to-face time, without the need to be doing businessy-things. Hierarchy and roles become completely secondary, and without anyone trying, relationships are built and strengthened.
In the context of our modern lives, these analogue, shared tabletop pursuits help us feel excitement. For a brief period of time we can behave despicably, grow immensely wealthy, be a cunning negotiator, fail miserably, snatch victory from the jaws of defeat - and then pack up the box and return to normal life.
More often than not at night, I’ll see groups of people setting up to play board games, cards being shuffled. As I leave the room there’s laughter, arguments, deals being done, luck being ridden and chances being denied.
I’ll come back in the morning and there’s the wonderful carnage of last night’s play to be seen.
People have obviously greatly enjoyed themselves.
They’ve revived and recharged themselves - revved up to take on the next challenges, learnings and adventures which are possible when you get away from your day-to-day lives and chill.
Paradoxical because though we do have internet connectivity, we encourage its non-use. After all, what’s the point of getting away from it all if you’re simply going to replicate life as usual.
Inspirational because one of the main advantages of coming to our tucked-away corner of The Tararua’s is to put yourself in a different headspace, give yourself the luxury of interacting with fellow human beings in a different way.
That’s where our board games are so much fun, (and provide so much intangible value).
For anyone that’s playing, these games are all-inclusive. They ‘force’ communication in a good way. They are safe ways for people to be goodies, baddies, ‘in danger’, winners and losers...and nobody dies, nobody holds a grudge (hopefully!)
With screens tucked away and forgotten, our card and board games are face-to-face time, without the need to be doing businessy-things. Hierarchy and roles become completely secondary, and without anyone trying, relationships are built and strengthened.
In the context of our modern lives, these analogue, shared tabletop pursuits help us feel excitement. For a brief period of time we can behave despicably, grow immensely wealthy, be a cunning negotiator, fail miserably, snatch victory from the jaws of defeat - and then pack up the box and return to normal life.
More often than not at night, I’ll see groups of people setting up to play board games, cards being shuffled. As I leave the room there’s laughter, arguments, deals being done, luck being ridden and chances being denied.
I’ll come back in the morning and there’s the wonderful carnage of last night’s play to be seen.
People have obviously greatly enjoyed themselves.
They’ve revived and recharged themselves - revved up to take on the next challenges, learnings and adventures which are possible when you get away from your day-to-day lives and chill.
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