Wanna Duel?....Poke'mon tournaments return!

Wanna duel? Soon these words will be heard all over hopscotch on Thursday afternoons. There will be no swords, no knights, just wild eyed youngsters flashing decks of Pokemon cards and speaking in a language that involves hit points, Pikachu, Squirtle, Energy, and many other terms that leave parents shaking their heads and happily checking them at the door. hopscotch has held Poke'mon tournaments in the past, and are very excited to be starting them up again for summer entertainment. Most parents know Poke'mon as the cartoon show, and the card packs that their children beg them to buy just so they can leave the precious things lying all over the floor. Those are the only negative aspects of this brilliantly sophisticated card game. In an era when young men crave the intense action that seems to be found only in video games, they are completely excited by Poke'mon. A card game that uses basic math and reading skills over and over and over. A game that allows 8 year olds to approach and interact with 12 year olds on an even playing field. A game that allows kids who are not athletically inclined to excel at something competitive. A game! A face to face game that demands interaction, the honing of interpersonal skills, and clever quips (smattered with a plethora of farting jokes).
When my son was younger and playing Poke'mon he made an interesting and rather compelling case that Poke'mon was a more sophisticated game of strategy than chess. As a mother to many (my own notwithstanding) I love Poke'mon tournaments because it gives these guys a place to hang out and get a little guidance from good solid adults besides their parents. They become quite attached to the process of getting mock scolded for the amount of soda they consume, and the need to trim their finger nails. The kids from some of my first Poke'mon matches have graduated from high school now, but they continue to come by the store and check in on me and proudly display their extra super big slurps (or lack thereof) proudly. I'm happy to see them, love them up a bit and send them on their way, but it's time for a new batch. Wanna duel?