Building confidence and engagement one dragon at a time!

Critical Core is a social development program that utilizes a role-playing game (similar to Dungeons and Dragons) to motivate participants to actively engage in social situations and to develop meaningful connections with others. This is a collaborative game in which players and the facilitator work together to create a story. It is a safe and supportive environment in which players are able to practice communicating, problem-solving, and regulation as their characters progress through a series of challenges that will ultimately lead to them becoming heroes.

The overall goal of Critical Core is generalizable learning from fully engaged play while respecting individuals and building relationships.

We encourage growth in the following areas:

• Increase regulation
• Increase collaboration
• Increase motor and cognitive planning
• Improve perspective taking
• Increase access to pretend play development for related skill-building

For more information about the Critical Core project please visit www.criticalcore.org

The Little Town of Tusk

In this therapeutic RPG adventure, young heroes will find themselves in a snowy mountain town called Tusk when their peaceful evening at the local soup tavern is interrupted by mysterious intruders. The children must embark on a quest to save their new friend, uncovering secrets about magical artifacts and ancient societies along the way. Through collaborative problem-solving, creative role-playing, and teamwork, players will navigate enchanted environments, face challenging encounters, and discover the power of friendship in this classic dungeon-crawling adventure designed to build social fluency and confidence in a supportive gaming environment. (ideal for players new to Role-Playing Games)

Group 1 | Ages 9-12
June 25-August 6 | Thursdays | 4:30pm-6:00pm MT
7 sessions | $700 | In-person at STAR 
 

The Festival of the Birds

Building on their heroic journey (either by participating in "The Little Town of Tusk" adventure or prior RPG experience), young adventurers are invited as honored guests to Myren's spectacular Festival of the Birds, where they'll find themselves at the center of a magical mystery. When the town's treasured bird statue disappears, they must follow clues through exotic landscapes, navigate mysterious underground cities, and discover secrets that will help save the day. This exciting continuation encourages creative problem-solving, teamwork, and brave choices as players work together to solve puzzles and help the friendly townsfolk. Perfect for those ready to take their role-playing skills to the next level! (ideal for players with some prior experience in Role-Playing Games)

Group 2 | Ages 9-12
August 3-7 | Daily | 10:30am-12:00pm MT
5 sessions | $500 | In-person at STAR 

Character Options

The Half-Orc Barbarian stands large in stature — a pillar of muscle and power. Barbarians have learned to turn their rage into a powerful tool in battle. They often come from nomadic cultures relying on spoken word and stories for communication, so many never learned to read or write. Others sometimes assume that orcs and half-orcs are bloodthirsty, but they are not uncivilized. They have their own customs and traditions stretching back many hundreds of generations, and are often fiercely loyal to their clan.

The Human Fighter comes in all shapes and sizes, and while they have a wide range of skills, they are at their best when they have a sword or a bow in hand. In fact, no one is more deadly with weapons! Humans are the most versatile and varied inhabitants of Toverus, and the Human Fighter is no exception. With unmatched heart and passion, they exhibit a fierce dedication to freedom, and their adventures often take them to distant territories and strange situations, lending to a plethora of daring tales to be told around a campfire.

The Half-Elf Rogue is a master of shadow and cunning. As a curious mix of elven traditions and human ingenuity, they excel in both diplomacy and dexterity, and use every opportunity to their advantage against foes. Though tactical and sneaky, the half-elf rogue is still a hero and supports the team with quiet footsteps and nimble fingers. The rogue is capable of picking a lock, disarming a trap, or stealing something right out from under a guard's nose. They also have the unique ability to perform sneak attacks: targeted precision strikes that deal extra damage to enemies.

The Elf Wizard is the master of arcane arts and magic. Because of their elven heritage, they live extremely long lives and frequently have spent decades in a secluded wizard school learning their spellcraft and building immense knowledge. Their unparalleled understanding of magic allows the Elf Wizard to cast some of the most powerful spells in the game, but their deep knowledge and investigative skills make them useful both in and out of combat. Their long lives frequently make them very patient, though it also often means that they don't handle change well. Sometimes, when all else fails, a gigantic ball of lightning is the answer.

Enrollment Process:

1. Fill out our Group Inquiry Form.
2. A $100 deposit (refundable up to 2 weeks before the program begins, deducted from the total cost) will be required to hold your child's spot. Your confirmation of being in the group will be provided after the next step - the intake.
3. Upon receiving your form and deposit, you will be scheduled for a 20-minute intake interview (phone or video conferencing) with our group therapist.
   • Current or recent STAR families (received STAR services in the past 12 months) may not require the intake appointment.
4. Your spot will be confirmed for the program only AFTER completion of the intake.

For additional information and questions, please contact us at groups@sensoryhealth.org or call us at 303-221-7827.