The Camosun College Student Society (CCSS) is bringing game nights, consisting of bingo and trivia, to both Interurban and Lansdowne campuses. These events were started by CCSS pride director Acacia Tooth, who wanted to bring some more fun to students.
“I personally love going to bingo and trivia at Vicious Poodle and Friends of Dorothy,” says Tooth. “I just find it’s always fun and it’s a great way to connect with people, so it’s kind of nice to be able to bring that on campus and have students that might not find each other from just walking around campus or being in different classes and getting everyone together. It’s been really lovely.”
With the first month of games done, the CCSS is increasing their marketing to encourage more students to come by. This can be a little tricky, says Tooth, as the bingo and trivia occur in the evenings after most students have left campus.
“The turnout for bingo was pretty good. Obviously at Interurban, even though it is the busiest campus, a lot of classes are held during the day and nobody really makes it back, so it was a little slower, but it’s also the first of the events. Marketing was a little bit behind, but we feel more prepared for next month than we did this month. I’m hoping it’ll pick up,” says Tooth. “[As for trivia], there were a couple of students there, and honestly it was kind of fun having the smaller group because then everyone just went head to head with the knowledge that they had, so it got really competitive and was a lot of fun.”
Having these game nights available at the Interurban and Lansdowne campuses is a great way for students to let go of some stress and unwind. Plus, having them on campus and not at a bar makes them a lot more accessible for everyone, says Tooth.
“It is really nice. I myself have been sober for four years so having the opportunities to go to sober events with like-minded individuals who are also in school is just a really great way to ease into the college experience,” says Tooth. “Or even for people who have been here for years, just to have something low-key to go to.”
Tooth doesn’t have to run these game nights on their own—other members of the CCSS are contributing their time to help with the bingo and trivia nights. These events have also given the CCSS a fun way to connect with more students one on one, says Tooth.
“Some of the other [CCSS] directors do come and help with set up and all that stuff. Usually they stay for the event as well, which is also nice cause we get to meet more students that way and make those face-to-face connections,” says Tooth. “Usually when we are just running CCSS events it’s very hit and miss who comes by, so that’s been really nice.”
Tooth is very excited that these game nights are now up and running and hopes that more students will come check them out, adding that it’s a fun and free way for students to connect with one another regardless of what classes they may or may not have together. Bingo and trivia nights will occur on a monthly basis, swapping games every month.
“Sometimes it’s nice to just take a break from learning. We spend the entire time we’re on campus filling our head with knowledge, and sometimes it’s nice to just let loose and be comfortable in a new space,” says Tooth. “Just being able to relax and spend time on connections.”
The next trivia night is Black History Month themed and will take place from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, February 23 in Wilna Thomas 234 at the Lansdowne campus.
See camosunstudent.org for more information on the CCSS.