I was in the shopping centre yesterday and wandered into a shop specialising in Dungeons and Dragons style war games. They sell little plastic soldiers, monsters etc. and the domains in which they do battle. It is school holidays at the moment so, even though it was a Monday, it was full of boys in the eight to fifteen age group. It is a smallish shop but it has enough room for some battle grounds on tables at the front and a work area for its clients towards the rear.

I have been into this shop before and each time I do it lifts my heart. Each time I see boys engrossed in constructive and creative activity. There is so little of this quality activity available for boys. In this shop boys can let their imaginations range across imaginary landscapes and control epic battles fought by iconic armies of knights, elves or any number of other creatures. Younger boys have simplistic battle strategies that grow more complex, sophisticated and abstract as their brain develops and matures.

At the back of the store, in the work area, preparation is underway for future battles. Minute figurines are being meticulously painted. Here boys are not only developing their future armies they are also developing their fine motor skills, learning about art and sharing their hopes and dreams with other boys.

In this shop conflict is played out on the minature battlefield and loses, whilst disheartening, are accepted gracefully. Boys are learning to compete in a constructive and supportive environment with no adults placing unrealistic demands upon them or abusing them from the sidelines. Compare this with the local football field.

The young adult males who work there are not trained in counselling or youth work but they share the passion with their customers. They relate to these boys and interact with them at a level that most youth workers can only dream about.

This store is about making money and it clearly does that but in doing so it delivers a rare and valuable service to boys in our community. If you are a father of a young boy check out if there is a store like this in your area. Your son may embrace this fantasy world and he has much he can gain from it if he does.