Host your favorite game at CSM’s Hawkland Gaming Festival Sept. 19

Guide your friends, family, and fellow gamers on your favorite tabletop journey. The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is seeking volunteers to host games at the Hawkland Gaming Festival on Sept. 19.

Hawkland Gaming Festival, now in its fourth year, is a community celebration of all things tabletop gaming, from classic board games to card games, dexterity games, and role-playing games. The college is inviting hosts to bring their favorite game and teach others how to play.

Festival Director Professor Andrew Wodzianski said the festival is an opportunity for gamers of all experience levels to enjoy their favorites, discover new games, and share the love of gaming.

“Games have a powerful way of bringing people together and building connections,” Wodzianski said. “As a host, you can help others find the same passion you have for a favorite game and build a new community of gamers.”

Hosts can sign up to bring any game that can be played on a flat surface. The festival will have three-hour time slots between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Volunteers are also invited to host workshops for cosplay, performances, or live-action role-playing (LARP). Those interested can fill out the form with information about their game.

Beyond the volunteer-led games, attendees can explore a game library available throughout the day, play alongside demonstrations of new games, participate in a puzzle swap, and browse vendors from around the area.

Admission to the festival is $10, with proceeds supporting student scholarships through the CSM Foundation.

“Over the last four years, we have seen hundreds of people come out not only to share the love of gaming, but also to help support future CSM students,” Wodzianski said. “We hope to continue growing this event, as well as the Southern Maryland gaming community.”

Additional event details, including scheduled games and a list of participating vendors, are available on the Hawkland Gaming Festival website.