Do you have a child that loves to play video games like Roblox, Mario Kart and Minecraft? Do they like casual or competitive activities or started to learn coding and basic computer skills? Do they create graphics or videos? Instead of playing at home, have your kids play alongside their peers and explore their passion for gaming at Affinity Esports in Newtown!
Over the last couple of years, co-founders Mark and Emily Kilpatrick have built a welcoming and active community of kids and young adults who share his enthusiasm and passion for Esports. And as parents themselves, they understand that some parents may have some questions about Esports so they set out to create a space that parents would not only be comfortable with, but also excited about! Check out this short video featuring parents talking about their experience with Affinity Esports.
"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 accepting registrations for Spring Classes (program runs April 29- June 10)! They are also offering FREE trial classes all week long April 29 - May 2 so that your child can find the class that's right for them! Programs are offered for gamers ages 7-17 at all skill levels from beginner to more competitive. Subjects range from mechanical development, to game creation and coding, all the way to graphic design and video editing for aspiring creators. Below is a list of classes with links to learn more and to register for either the free trial class or the full session.
Gaming Foundations (Ages 7-13), Mondays 4:45pm-6:30pm; FREE TRIAL CLASS ON MONDAY, APRIL 29
Gaming Foundations Class engages kids in exploring gaming, teaching them about content and game creation, and esports. It emphasizes character-building, teamwork, and safety, while providing parents with supportive guidance.
Game Creation, Modding and Coding (Ages 7-15), Tuesdays 4:45-6:30pm; FREE TRIAL CLASS ON TUESDAY APRIL 30
Enroll your child in our Game Creation, Modding, and Coding class. They'll develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills starting with coding basics in Scratch and practicing through Minecraft challenges.
Pixel Art and Game Design,
Tuesdays 4:45-6:30pm; FREE TRIAL CLASS ON TUESDAY APRIL 30
Explore Game Artistry! Design characters, create animations, and craft pixel art backdrops. Participants will animate their designs in a game and showcase their work. No experience needed, just enthusiasm for a fun artistic journey!
Content Creation and Streaming (Ages 7-15), Wednesdays 4:45-6:30pm; FREE TRIAL CLASS ON WEDNESDAY MAY 1
Learn the fundamentals and develop skills necessary to become a successful content creator. In this class, kids will have the opportunity to explore their creativity, build their personal brand, and produce unique content. Students will receive an overview of hardware and software requirements, streaming platforms (such as Twitch and YouTube), lighting, audio, video editing, graphic design, and more.
Video Editing (Ages 10-17), Wednesdays 4:45-6:30pm; FREE TRIAL CLASS ON WEDNESDAY MAY 1
Whether you're passionate about gaming, storytelling, or just creating fun videos, this course will equip you with the foundational skills needed to bring your visions to life.
Advanced Game Creation, Modding and Coding (Ages 10-17), Thursdays 4:45-6:30pm; FREE TRIAL CLASS ON THURSDAY MAY 2
Designed for kids who have a basic understanding of coding, an interest in game development, and a desire to explore on their own, this class will allow them to collaborate with others to problem-solve, develop creative solutions, think critically, and gain a more advanced understanding of computational thinking and execution. This course is anchored in Game Maker Studio, where they will expand their coding knowledge by building, collaborating, and sharing their own unique games.
REGISTER NOW AND SAVE 10% WITH CODE: MACKID10
"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)
Interested in playing more competitively? Consider joining the Spring Youth Academy!
If your young gamer (ages 13 and under) is eager to begin competitive gaming but not quite ready to compete on an official team, the Youth Academy
at Affinity Esports is a great place to start! The program offers a safe and nurturing environment to introduce kids to competitive play, ensuring their emotional and developmental readiness. Additionally, the Academy involves parents, providing education about the gaming industry, addressing concerns about game content, and offering strategies to support their children's success. FREE Trials on April 29th and May 5th.
Weekly Community Game Nights - Visit, take a Tour and 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 Game Night (All Ages, Families), Wednesdays 6-8pm ($10/hour)
- Youth Game Night (Ages 7-15), Fridays 6-9pm ($35)
- Young Adult Game Night (Ages 16-25), Saturdays 6-10pm ($25)
Founded in 2021, Affinity Esports is Connecticut’s premier organization for healthier gaming. They are on a mission to create safe spaces that deliver holistic experiences for all gamers, achieving this through structured programming that increases accessibility, community education, and inclusion. By elevating the long-term benefits of esports to the forefront of discussions and normalizing people's passion, Affinity Esports has created an engaging community of gamers and advocates who are committed to balancing wellness, education, mentality, competition, and socialization. They have a distinct focus on growing esports across Connecticut.
Through their recreational programs, children are introduced to the world of esports, full of new and emerging career paths, experiential learning, and highly engaging social activities. Each of these programs has been structured to reinforce critical life skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem solving. Through their time with us, we will guide children to build healthy habits and harness their passion with an extreme commitment to balancing wellness, education, mentality, competition, and socialization. Esports have been linked to powerful outcomes, such as improved social and emotional skills, problem solving, future career viability, and academic performance.
For more information about Affinity Esports, visit https://www.affinityesports.gg/ and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, TikTok or Discord (Username: subhuman#6200).
