Pokémon Trading Club meets at the library

By Ashley Clementovich

Sunday at the Whitecourt & District Public Library was the place to be for Pokémon enthusiasts. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., kids of all ages were invited to swap cards, engage in friendly battles, and discuss all things Pokémon.

The whole idea for the club started with 12-year-old Ben Thebeau who moved to Whitecourt last November from Stettler where he frequented a similar Pokémon club. Wishing to have the same opportunity in Whitecourt, Ben quickly wrote to the library and the Pokémon Trading Club began. It is hosted once a month by Ben, his 10-year-old brother William, and their father Jay. For the three of them, the club is all about having a safe place to trade cards fairly and to participate in friendly battles, if desired. They also give out small packages of Pokémon cards as draw prizes at each meeting.

As Ben and William waited for others to arrive, they began showing off their best cards pulling them from an enormous yet meticulously-organized binder. The two boys revealed that along with Pokémon card and action figure collecting, they also watch the show and movies, read the books, and are particularly excited for the new live action film coming out in May.

Next to arrive were five-year-old Natalie and eight-year-old Mason Hoisington each equipped with their own Pokémon binder. The four children quickly began comparing their strongest and weakest cards with Ben helping the others to understand the finer, more complicated details. As someone who organizes his own binder by type, hit points, and damage, explaining such specifics is as easy as breathing for Ben.

The children also demonstrated how they use math when battling in order to figure out the damage one Pokémon card will have on another. Watching their children rattle off multiplications with great enthusiasm prompted all the parents in the room to grin triumphantly.

When asked what his favourite thing about Pokémon is, William expressed that many of the creatures are based on real animals, and some have Latin-based names. “They’re just cool,” he added, to the vigorous nods of the other three children. No-one would argue with him there.

The next Pokémon Trading Club meeting will be held at the end of February. The exact date will be posted soon on the library website as well as on bulletin boards around town.