Guard Up

09/10/2026

We hope you will join us and spreading the word about this powerful role-playing initiative to address trauma in Ukrainian refugee children. Cultura Connector is a 501 C3 nonprofit partnering with the nonprofit Europe4Youth in Poland to bring this initiative to the children who need it the most. Please consider donating… We all know the power of LARP and this is our chance to support the people using it to make a difference. 

Have you ever played a character who helped you practice courage? Or found a gaming group where you finally felt like you belonged?

These experiences are part of why we’ve created GRIT: Games for Resilience and Interactive Transformation.

GRIT is an in-person live action roleplaying program that uses guided adventures to help children build resilience and connection. Participants step into shared stories, make choices together, and reflect on their experiences with trained trauma-informed facilitators and therapist support. Communities can shape the games around their own cultures, languages, and needs.

Our first step is a pre-pilot in Poland, where we want to train Ukrainian facilitators and therapists to bring therapeutic live-action roleplaying to Ukrainian refugee children. This early work will help us improve the program and lay the groundwork for future research.

Our public fundraiser launches October 1, and we’re inviting the larp and gaming community in first. You already understand how much a game can mean to someone.

The first $20,000 raised by our community will unlock a secured $20,000 anonymous match.

Can you make an early donation or share this with your gaming community? https://givebutter.com/global-grit

Every contribution helps give this work a running start. Someday, we hope you’ll be able to say: “I was there at the start. I helped make this possible.”

02/26/2026

A very productive trip to DC for our contingent to support museum funding and fight against censorship. In addition to both Senator Markey and Rep. Seth Moulton stopping in to hear our points (as well as a staffer for Warren), Director Meghan Gardner had the distinct honor of reconnecting with one of one of our former summer campers, Caleb Levy. Caleb is a recent grad from Museum Studies and spoke of how his years at Guardian Adventures camps was impactful for him.

Meghan also had the opportunity to mention the EU funded project she is working on for her Masters Degree that is focused on creating civic dialog between participants of different (or even opposing) political views.

We are planning to reach out to Seth Moulton’s office as a follow up but also to introduce our GRIT program for addressing trauma in war veterans (something he is particularly interested in).

Even with the cancelled flight home (and taking a long train ride instead), this has been a deeply inspiring and educational trip.

02/25/2026

What if a 20 minute game could change behavior months later?

Excited to share this conversation with Eng from XP on Guardian Adventures’ Meghan Gardner about Games for Emotional Engagement.

🎧 Audio Podcast
Publishes: Sunday February 22, 2026 at 12:00pm ET
Listen: http://universityxp.com/podcast/158

🎥 Video (Slide Deck)
Publishes: Sunday March 1, 2026 at 12:00pm ET
Watch: http://universityxp.com/video/158

In this episode, we talk about Transformative Game Design.

“Games are structured play. Within that structure, we can create safe exploration.”

“A well designed game can be educational. The debrief is where transformation happens.”

“It is not enough for a game to feel powerful. Three months later, did behavior actually change?”

Transformative game design aims for sustained, measurable change in behavior or perspective.

Most change is a micro needle shift. Small. Repeatable. Compounding.

And sometimes, “The game itself became the alibi for a difficult conversation.”

Because games open discussions that nothing else can.

If you design for impact rather than engagement alone, I would love to hear your thoughts.

You can return to our homepage by clicking here, or you can try searching for the content you are seeking by clicking here.

01/16/2026

Join us and the Smithsonian on Wednesday January 21 at 4:30pm ET to learn how to run an exciting free adventure for your students using Smithonian 3D assets. Register at https://guardup.com/spirit-of-stlouis/

01/15/2026

Hope you will join us at this free training with Smithsonian on how to run an adventure for your students using their 3D assets.

01/06/2026

Hey Teachers and Educators! This is free event from the Smithsonian and Guardian Adventures that teaches you how to use the huge library of Smithsonian 3D assets as well as run an exciting mystery adventure for middle schoolers about the Spirit of St. Louis flight. Join us Wednesday January 21 at 4:30pm ET on Zoom and let the adventure begin!

Legend has it that in 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh stayed awake and alert for over 30 hours to complete the first ever solo non-stop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris in 1927…but what if he had help?

Join us for a FREE live training event for educators. Learn to facilitate a sci-fi themed interactive STEM adventure centered around exploring the Spirit of St. Louis, where learners ages 8-10 travel back in time to ensure Lindbergh makes history! Register here: guardup.com/spirit-of-stlouis

National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

12/18/2025

Hey Educators! Hope you can join us and learn how to run this exciting STEM adventure using Smithsonian 3D Assets!

(Know any teachers or homeschool parents? Please share this post)

Legend has it that in 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh stayed awake and alert for over 30 hours to complete the first ever solo non-stop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris in 1927…but what if he had help?

Join us for a FREE live training event for educators. Learn to facilitate a sci-fi themed interactive STEM adventure centered around exploring the Spirit of St. Louis, where learners ages 8-10 travel back in time to ensure Lindbergh makes history! Register here: guardup.com/spirit-of-stlouis

National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

11/12/2025

We’re honored to share our work in Transformative Design at this year’s International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) conference exploring how immersive experiences can spark curiosity, inspire growth, and create lasting impact.

Join our founder, Meghan Gardner, for three sessions focused on designing experiences that go beyond entertainment to foster genuine transformation:

🎯 Beyond the Walls: Plan & Fund Your Next Outreach Project
🗓️ Nov 17, 10:00–11:00 AM
Discover strategies for developing mobile exhibits, digital courses, and outreach programs that extend learning beyond your institution.

💡 How to Capture SuperFans: Designing Deeply Transformative Experiences
🗓️ Nov 19, 8:30–9:30 AM
Learn how transformative design can cultivate lifelong fans and emotionally resonant experiences—from Disney and Meow Wolf to Smithsonian and Royal Caribbean.

🔬 Transformative Experiences in Museums & Science Centers
🗓️ Nov 19, 3:30–3:50 PM
Explore real-world examples of design that inspires reflection and engagement at institutions like CERN and Smithsonian.

We’re excited to connect with partners shaping the future of education, themed entertainment, and cultural engagement.

10/16/2025

Hey friends! If you know an educator or teacher or homeschool parent, please let them know that we have partnered with Smithsonian staff and been granted use of the Museum of History’s 3D assets in our latest stem week adventure to be held over zoom next Thursday at 10 AM Eastern time. 

Please register in advance! 

https://guardup.com/spirit-of-stlouis/

Join us for an exciting online STEM adventure: The Spirit of St. Louis is missing from the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum! This is a Zoom-based interactive adventure designed with 3D assets and permission from the Smithsonian for ages 8-10 and runs 30 minutes.

08/25/2025

Calling all - looking for game submissions!

Our client wants more games for their guests. Please check out our call for submissions: https://guardup.com/game_submission/

Interested in making a game for an international client? We'd love to read your pitch!

Submit your original game or activity idea for cruise guests. If accepted, get paid, gain credit, global exposure, and potential additional opportunities.