Have a child who loves to play video games like Roblox and Minecraft? Do they like casual or competitive activities? Have they 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 at Affinity Esports in Newtown! Nestled along the Pootatuck River (inside Rocky Glen State Park), Affinity Esports has been paving the way to healthier gaming experiences since 2021 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 newly expanded studio space in Newtown features gaming PCS, streaming setups, big screen TVs, whiteboards, and Nintendo Switches and has attracted a large community of kids and young adults in the Greater Danbury area to explore their passion for gaming and Esports.
Affinity Esports is now accepting registrations for Winter Session B (runs March 10- April 10). Programs are offered for gamers ages 7-17 at all skill levels from beginner to more competitive. Macaroni KID readers can save 15% with code MACKID15 when registering by March 7th! Register now!
Over the last few 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.
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. Its programs introduce kids to esports, full of new and emerging career paths, experiential learning, and highly engaging social activities. In fact, Affinity Esports was proudly named 2023 Partner of the Year for Post University as recognized by the Malcolm Baldrige School of Business. 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.
“Great program - I am so pleasantly surprised. They teach kids how to game healthfully (ie. importance of taking frequent breaks, good sportsmanship, teamwork).” - Desiree (Parent)
WINTER CLASSES AT AFFINITY ESPORTS
Session B runs March 10 - April 10. Register now before your favorite class fills up! Save 15% with Code MACKID15 now through March 7th!
Game Level Creation & Design featuring Unity (Ages 7-17), Mondays 4:45pm-6:30pm
This exciting class invites young creators to embark on an adventure in game design using the powerful Unity engine. Students will have a blast building essential skills through hands-on projects and guided exploration. By mastering Unity's game engine fundamentals and crafting interactive experiences, they'll boost their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking. Unity, a leading game development platform, allows students to bring their wildest ideas to life, giving them a real taste of what it's like to create their own games. With supportive guidance, they will gain confidence and a deep sense of achievement as they watch their creations come to life.
Game Creation and Coding (Ages 7-15), Tuesdays 4:45-6:30pm
This class will require students to problem-solve, be creative, think critically, and hone basic computer skills to achieve their game creation goals. They will start by learning code basics through Scratch, the world's largest coding community and visual coding language for children, to create their own games. They will also have the opportunity to practice coding through a variety of fun challenges and coding courses in Minecraft Education Edition and Roblox. As they progress through the class, kids will have the chance to socialize and collaborate with each other on improvements and showcase their progress to their parents daily.
Content Creation and Video Editing (Ages 7-15), Wednesdays 4:45-6:30pm
Explore the exciting world of video editing with a comprehensive course designed specifically for young creatives aged 7 to 15. 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. Through interactive lessons, hands-on projects, and the latest editing software, students will explore the art and science of video editing, learning how to craft compelling stories from raw footage.
Minecraft and Roblox Explorers (Ages 7-15), Thursdays 4:45-6:30pm
Embark on a journey of creativity, friendship, and skill-building in our Minecraft & Roblox Explorers program! Gamers will explore the collaborative worlds of Minecraft and Roblox, discovering the joy of creative expression and problem-solving. This unique program not only fosters digital creativity but also emphasizes the development of essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability.
SAVE 15% with Code MACKID15 (good through March 7)
"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 starts at just $20 per month. Members get priority access to the Studio, discounted rates for family members, programs, merchandise, birthdays, and space rentals. They also get access to a 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.
- Youth Game Night (Ages 7-15), Fridays 6-9pm ($35)
- Minecraft Club, Saturdays 2:30-4:30pm (Included in Weekend Day Pass)
- Girls & Allies Gaming Club (Club for all females and femme identifying individuals that's safe and inclusive), Sundays 1-2:45pm (FREE)
- FPS Club (with parental approval), Sundays 2pm-4pm (Included in Weekend Day Pass)
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)
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 on Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, TikTok or Discord (Username: subhuman#6200).
