From Rocket Improv:
When Rocket Improv learned that the Valley Street space it had been renting for its Saturday Dungeons & Dragons sessions would no longer be available beginning in September, owner and director Lulu French found herself with a problem: a full slate of young adventurers—and no place for them to roll their dice.
Rocket Improv runs multiple Dungeons & Dragons sessions each Saturday for kids and teens ages 10–17. The program gives young players a place to create stories together, solve problems, and ambush monsters.Â
Finding a new space that could accommodate multiple sessions throughout the day—and doing it fairly quickly—was going to be a challenge.
So French put out the word that Rocket Improv was looking for a new home.
Then she reached out to Chris Dickson, Executive Director of the SOMA Chamber of Commerce, of which Rocket Improv is a member, and asked if he would share the request with the local business community.
Dickson sent out the plea almost immediately.
About an hour later, French heard from James Goodger at the South Mountain YMCA.
Goodger offered Rocket Improv the opportunity to rent a classroom in the school building adjacent to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Maplewood’s Hilton neighborhood. Rocket Improv had previously been a sponsor for the Y’s annual Duck Race, so Goodger was familiar with the business and its programs and was happy to help.
Just like that, Rocket Improv’s adventurers had a new home.
And the Y wasn’t the only local organization to step up.
After Rocket Improv had already connected with the South Mountain Y, Applause Home Care also reached out and generously offered the use of one of its conference rooms. Although the space was no longer needed, French was touched by the offer and by the willingness of another local business to help.
For French, the experience became about much more than finding a room.
Small businesses can sometimes feel as though they’re figuring everything out on their own. But this was a reminder of what can happen when local organizations know one another, support one another and are willing to raise a hand when someone in the community needs help.
The Chamber helped get the word out. The South Mountain Y provided a new home. Applause Home Care stepped forward with another offer.
And Rocket Improv’s young adventurers got to keep doing what they love: finding their people, telling ridiculous stories, rolling dice and occasionally slaying the dreaded Gelatinous Cube.
New Adventurers Welcome
Rocket Improv’s Saturday Dungeons & Dragons program includes separate sessions for ages 10–12, 13–14 and 15–17. Players are welcome with or without previous D&D experience.
Rocket Improv’s Dungeon Masters are experienced, enthusiastic and well-liked by their players, with a particular knack for bringing newcomers into an existing group and helping first-time players learn as they go.
There are currently openings for ages 10–12 in the 1:45 p.m. sessions and ages 15–17 in the 5:45 p.m. sessions.
Young adventurers looking for a party are welcome to join.
Learn more and register at Rocket Improv’s website, www.rocketimprovcomedy.com.
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