Have a child who loves to play video games like Roblox and Minecraft? Have they started to dabble in coding and Scratch? Instead of them playing at home, have them play alongside their peers at Affinity Esports in Newtown! Nestled along the Pootatuck River (inside Rocky Glen State Park), Affinity Esports is paving the way to healthier gaming experiences by providing a safe community meeting space for kids and teens to play games and interact with their peers all while learning technology and problem-solving skills. Their studio space features more than 1,000 square feet of gaming PCS, streaming setups, big screen TVs, whiteboards, and Nintendo Switches!
Affinity Esports is now accepting registrations through February 19th for Winter Session II (runs Feb. 20- Mar. 31). Programs are offered for gamers ages 7-17 at all skill levels from beginner to more competitive. Also, kids who are already playing competitive may want to tryout for Club Teams! Tryouts are happening Feb. 4-5 and 11-12. For those not quite ready to play competitively but interested, Spring Youth Academy starts Feb. 15th. Read on for more information!
Last fall I had the opportunity to chat with founder Mark Kilpatrick and was struck by his enthusiasm and passion for what he has created at Affinity Esports. As a parent himself, Mark set out to create a space for gaming that parents would not only be comfortable with, but also excited about. Not only will Affinity Esports provide a safe space for kids to explore their passion for gaming, they will also teach kids valuable and marketable life skills in communication, problem solving and teamwork. Its programs will also introduce kids to esports, full of new and emerging career paths, experiential learning, and highly engaging social activities. In fact, Mark recently took part in a panel discussion at Yale School of Management during the CT Economic Summit where he shared how Affinity Esports is aiming to detach the negative stigma around video gaming and highlighted how the studio is poised to become a reliable pathway for Connecticut youth who wish to explore their passion for gaming while developing sought-after skills for a career in the ever-growing Gaming and Esports industry. He shared, "There's a lot of negative stigma [with video games]...we are on a mission to make sure that Esports can be seen as a positive, empowering, inclusive industry." He went on to highlight that "There is a huge demand for positions in the Gaming and Esports industry... part of what we are doing as we grow our business is becoming one of these pathways [for our youth and graduates]." So whether your child is a budding gaming enthusiast or a highly experienced competitive gamer, Affinity Esports has programming to fit their skill level and drive their passion forward.
"My son truly feels like he found others like him. Love the idea about teaching teamwork, problem solving and leadership." ~ Christine (Parent)
Affinity Esports is now enrolling for Winter Classes! Session II runs February 20th through March 31st. Register now before your favorite class fills up!
Intro to Team Building and Skill Development in Esports (Ages 7-13), Fridays 4-6pm
Kids will work on team building and critical skill development through esports. They will get to experience playing various "E for Everyone" rated games (Minecraft, Rocket League, Knockout City, Fall Guys, Super Smash Bros, and Mario Kart) in a social, team-based setting.
Content Creation, Streaming, & Graphic Design for Esports (Ages 10-17), Tuesdays 4-6pm
Join us to learn about content creation, video streaming, and graphic design for esports. Kids will learn the fundamentals and develop skills necessary to become a successful creator. This class will give children the opportunity to explore their creativity through unique projects.
Beginner Coding & Game Creation in Scratch (Ages 7-13), Wednesdays 4-6pm
Your child will learn code basics. This class will require them to problem solve, be creative, think critically, and hone basic computer skills to achieve their game creation goals. They will learn Scratch (the world's largest visual coding language for children) by creating their own games.
Intermediate Coding & Game Creation in Roblox/Minecraft (Ages 10-17), Mondays 4-6pm
Kids will create new worlds in Roblox and showcase their passion and skills in their unique parts of the Metaverse. Following this, kids will jump into Minecraft to explore their creativity and compete in spirited build battles. Kids will learn the basic coding fundamentals of LUA and JavaScript.
Competitive FPS (Valorant, Overwatch 2, CS:GO) (Ages 10-17), Thursdays 4-6pm
Have your child join us to improve their foundation as a competitive FPS player. Whether their goal is personal improvement, playing at the next level (like College), or going pro, or just understanding the game more, our team will be here to help you take the next steps in your journey.
SESSION II CLASSES BEGIN THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 20TH!
LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE BY FEB. 19th
"Great program - I am so pleasantly surprised. They teach kids how to game healthfully (i.e. importance of taking frequent breaks, good sportsmanship, teamwork)." ~ Desiree (Parent)
Spring Club Tryouts are Sat/Sun., February 4-5 and 11-12
Club teams are for players ages 7-17 who are actively playing in the competitive ranking system within their favorite game(s). This includes a practice and match day each week and is run by a dedicated coach to help improve their game. Teams are now forming in Rocket League, Valorant, Apex Legends, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Overwatch 2, and Fortnite. Learn more here.
Not ready for the Club Team commitment?
Check out the Affinity Esports Youth Academy - Starts February 15
This 9-week program is designed for kids ages 7-12 who are ready for an introduction into a competitive team environment surrounded by peers and coaches. Runs Wednesdays from 6-8pm starting February 15th! Learn more or Register Here.
"Affinity is one of the most positive places I have been to, they have taught me teamwork and being a good teammate. Win or lose they are always positive and looking for a way to improve on everyone, one step at a time." - Jackson (Player)
Become a Member and Save!
An Affinity Esports membership is just $39.99 per month, or $29.99 with an annual commitment. Members get priority access to the Studio, discounted rates for family members, hourly pricing, programs, merchandise, birthdays, and space rentals. They also get access to a 20% tuition discount for most college courses through a partnership with Post University. Learn more.
Weekly Community Game Nights - Get a Taste of What Affinity Esports is All About!
Intrigued but not sure you are ready to sign up for a whole session? If you can't make one of the free trial classes above, register for an upcoming weekly game night to get a feel for what Affinity Esports is all about! These community game nights are open to all, including those registered in classes.
- Family Fun Night (All Ages, Families), Wednesdays 6-8pm
- FPS Game Night (All Ages, Parental Consent Required), Thursdays 6-8pm
- Youth Game Night (Ages 7-17), Fridays 6-9pm ($35)
- Girls Gaming Club (Ages 7-17), Fridays 4-6pm (FREE)
Have a Birthday Coming Up?
Affinity Esports does birthdays! You have your pick of Saturday or Sunday mornings from 10am - 1pm. Your Birthday Star can bring up to ten of their friends for a day of gaming, pizza, cake, and laughter! Reserve your birthday party today!
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"...Mark and Jarryd were so easy to work with. Once we had the date picked and the guests invited, they handled all the other details....food, drinks, cake, decorations. It was the easiest birthday party we have ever planned! The party was well organized and the kids had a blast! I can not say enough good things about the experience! I highly recommend having your child's next birthday party at Affinity Esports!" ~ Christine and Forrest Irwin (Parents)
For more information about Affinity Esports, visit https://www.affinityesports.gg/ and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, TikTok or Discord (Username: subhuman#6200).
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