Ethics and Dragons
A partnership with Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Libraries
The Cincinnati Ethics Center, in partnership with the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Libraries, is proud to present a core program for kids ages 11-18. The Ethics & Dragons program combines the traditional tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons, with discussion of ethical dilemmas in the context of a game.
Through gamified discussion, decision making, and group reflection students develop key abilities like:
- Identifying when there is a moral issue at play
- Understanding different moral frameworks
- Engaging in thoughtful dialogue about complicated moral issues
- Making difficult moral decisions, even when different values are at play
- Having a sense of what to do when established rules don’t provide guidance
- Developing resilience in standing up for what you think is right
The best part is, these skills are developed in a gamified setting that is attractive to middle and high school students.
Ethics & Dragons Programming Calendars
Summer 2026 Character Creation Sessions
Week of May 18-24
NOTE*: Some Character Creation sessions are on different days of the week than the Adventuring sessions.
| Clifton Public Library | Monday | 5:00-7:00pm |
| Deer Park Library | Monday | 2:30-4:30pm |
| Westwood Public Library | Tuesday | 12:00-2:00pm |
| Monfort Heights Public Library | Tuesday | 4:30-6:30pm |
| West End Public Library | Tuesday* | 5:00-7:00pm |
| Anderson Public Library | Wednesday | 5:00-7:00pm |
| Reading Public Library | Thursday | 3:30-5:30pm |
| Groesbeck Public Library | Saturday* | 2:00-4:00pm |
Summer 2026 Adventure Sessions
June 1-August 16**
NOTE*: Some Adventuring sessions are on different days of the week than the Character Creation sessions.
NOTE**: NO PROGRAMMING the week of Independence Day, June 29-July 5.
| Clifton Public Library | Mondays | 5:00-7:00pm |
| Deer Park Library | Mondays | 2:30-4:30pm |
| Westwood Public Library | Tuesdays | 12:00-2:00pm |
| Monfort Heights Public Library | Tuesdays | 4:30-6:30pm |
| West End Public Library | Wednesdays* | 5:00-7:00pm |
| Anderson Public Library | Wednesdays | 5:00-7:00pm |
| Reading Public Library | Thursdays | 3:30-5:30pm |
| Groesbeck Public Library | Thursdays* | 2:00-4:00pm |
Building a sense of community takes time and shared history. Making friends can be difficult at a young age but participating in the Ethics & Dragons program makes it easier. This program gives kids practice with social situations. Over time, even the kids that prefer to observe become more expressive. Other kids bring their friends along and deepen their preexisting connection.
No matter the circumstances, we strive to create a safe space for kids to have fun, learn how to play D&D, and stretch their reasoning skills. Therefore, any child who participates in three of our adventure sessions at any library will earn an ECLUB T-shirt.
Frequently Asked Questions
To learn more about Ethics and Dragons contact:
Erin Barta
Program Coordinator for Educational Programs
bartaen@uc.edu
(513)556-7608
