Affinity Esports in Newtown is now accepting registrations for Spring Programs and Summer Camp! Register by April 30 and save 15% with code APRIL15!
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!
Founder Mark Kilpatrick and I talked last fall about the misconceptions around gaming and how passionate he is about shifting the narrative. He also pointed out that while his business is relatively new (having opened Affinity Esports just one year ago in April 2022), the idea that 'playing video games can lead to happier and healthier outcomes' isn't. In fact there's research dating back to the early 2000s that supports the claim that "game players can be highly productive in the games they play, accomplishing and achieving, and improving skills that contribute to positive experiences and enhanced self-worth." (Gaming well: links between videogames and flourishing mental health; Seligman, M. (2004). Authentic Happiness. New York: Free Press., p.40). In addition, "the experience of feelings of competence, autonomy and relatedness during videogame play has been linked with higher self-esteem and positive affect." (Gaming well: links between videogames and flourishing mental health).
So 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. They'll also introduce kids to esports, full of new and emerging career paths, experiential learning, and highly engaging social activities.
And possibly the biggest bonus that Affinity Esports helps is guiding parents and kids to have a stronger relationship around their passion for gaming. It's not a world that most parents innately understand, but that effort to understand it can pay dividends. The effort to understand how gaming and esports with structure is no less positive than other traditional activities, is a powerful one as seen in this expert video on "Demystifying Esports for Parents and Schools".
If you'd like to get a taste of what Affinity Esports is all about, consider attending one of their upcoming Community Game Nights!
- 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
- Girls Gaming Club (Ages 7-17), Fridays 4:30-6pm (FREE)
SPRING CLASSES RUN MAY 1 - JUNE 2
There are several classes being offered this Spring for all ages and skill levels!
Intro to Esports (Ages 7-13), Mondays 4:30-6pm or Saturdays, 10:30am-12pm
Kids 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. This course is designed to spark passion and interest by exposing your child to a wide range of games, activities, and opportunities, while also focusing on an extreme commitment to balance, health and wellness, and basic internet safety.
Content Creation, Streaming, & Graphic Design for Esports (Ages 7-13), Tuesdays 4:30-6pm
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 in Minecraft/Scratch (Ages 7-13), Wednesdays 4:30-6pm
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 and will jump into Minecraft Education Edition to practice coding through a variety of fun, creative challenges.
Intermediate Coding in Roblox/Minecraft (Ages 10-17), Thursdays 4:30-6pm
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.
Girls Gaming Club (Ages 7-17), Fridays 4:30-6pm (FREE)
Be a part of a growing community of exceptional coders, builders, creators, and gamers. Girls and women make up nearly 50% of all gamers worldwide! This session will allow them to dive head first into the world of Esports, to engage with female mentors within the industry, play many different games (such as Rocket League, Knockout City, Minecraft, Roblox, and Super Smash Bros), and begin exploring what this industry can offer.
SPRING CLASSES BEGIN THE WEEK OF MAY 1st
REGISTER NOW & SAVE 15% (use CODE APRIL15)
Offer Expires April 30.
Be sure to mention you read about Affinity Esports Macaroni KID!
"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)
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION: SPOTS FILLING FAST!
Your child will have a Summer of fun at Affinity Esports! A power packed schedule includes camps for aspiring competitors, casual gamers, content creators, coders, and girls in gaming. Camps cover 30 hours of engaging activities that drive socialization, skill development, and passion. Days are balanced between the camp's theme, education around healthy gaming habits, and regular screen breaks. While away from their screen, your child can be found taking walks, doing quick exercise drills, pausing for regular hydration, eating lunch outside, completing team building activities, or playing tabletop games. During the week, your kids will spend roughly half of their time away from the screen, being socially engaged, and fusing their passion for the digital world into peer-to-peer interactions, critical skill development, and new perspectives. Camps are made possible and enhanced through the support of industry experts, experienced coaches and instructors, well-rounded camp counselors, and Affinity Esports' partners at Post University’s Esports Department.
- Dates: Runs weekly June 19 - August 25
- Boys and Girls ages 7-17 at all skill levels
- Choose from a variety of camps: Intro to Esports, Minecraft Builders, Rocket League, Creator Camp and much more
REGISTER BY APRIL 30 to SAVE 15% (use CODE APRIL15)
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ABOUT AFFINITY ESPORTS
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 offers year-round classes for gamers ages 7-17 at all skill levels from beginner to more competitive. For more information about Affinity Esports, classes, club teams, camps, birthday parties and more, visit https://www.affinityesports.gg/ and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, TikTok or Discord (Username: subhuman#6200).
