Affinity Esports, established in 2021, leads Connecticut's esports scene with a vision of promoting healthier gaming for all. They're committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces where gamers from diverse backgrounds can thrive, focusing on the positive impacts of gaming on wellness, education, and mental health. They're dedicated to shaping a responsible gaming culture, driving the esports community towards a balanced and enriching future.
Registration Begins: Thursday, August 20th @ 9:00am
Program Dates: Mondays, September 21st - October 19th
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Game Creation and Coding is a beginner-level class for ages 7-14 that uses the excitement of making games to teach real coding skills. Over a five-week session, students explore what code is, how the order of instructions matters, and how programmers think through problems step by step. Using Scratch and other visual tools, they learn core concepts such as events, motion, coordinates, loops, conditionals, sensing, variables, input, and basic data usage while building interactive stories and simple games. Sessions are designed to feel like an engaging activity, not a lecture, with a mix of on-computer work and unplugged logic games that help students understand how code works behind the scenes. Along the way, participants develop broader computer skills, practice creative thinking, share funny bugs and clever solutions, and collaborate with classmates. The class wraps with a simple showcase or share-out time so parents can see what their children have built and hear about their progress from the instructor.
Program Dates: Mondays, September 21st - October 19th
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Game Creation and Coding is a beginner-level class for ages 7-14 that uses the excitement of making games to teach real coding skills. Over a five-week session, students explore what code is, how the order of instructions matters, and how programmers think through problems step by step. Using Scratch and other visual tools, they learn core concepts such as events, motion, coordinates, loops, conditionals, sensing, variables, input, and basic data usage while building interactive stories and simple games. Sessions are designed to feel like an engaging activity, not a lecture, with a mix of on-computer work and unplugged logic games that help students understand how code works behind the scenes. Along the way, participants develop broader computer skills, practice creative thinking, share funny bugs and clever solutions, and collaborate with classmates. The class wraps with a simple showcase or share-out time so parents can see what their children have built and hear about their progress from the instructor.
Registration Begins: Thursday, August 20th @ 9:00am
Program Dates: Mondays, September 21st - October 19th
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 6:45pm - 8:15pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Minecraft Build Battle Clinic gives students a structured, creative environment to design, construct, and present themed builds while learning how to compete respectfully and collaboratively. Each week, students work through guided build challenges that encourage planning, resource management, communication, and creative problem-solving. Participants may build individually or in small teams, with an emphasis on supporting others, sharing ideas, and explaining design choices. The clinic format is designed to be positive and developmental, helping students learn how to receive feedback, manage time, and celebrate effort as much as outcomes. This class supports healthy gaming by turning Minecraft into a guided social and creative experience rather than unstructured screen time.
Program Dates: Mondays, September 21st - October 19th
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 6:45pm - 8:15pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Minecraft Build Battle Clinic gives students a structured, creative environment to design, construct, and present themed builds while learning how to compete respectfully and collaboratively. Each week, students work through guided build challenges that encourage planning, resource management, communication, and creative problem-solving. Participants may build individually or in small teams, with an emphasis on supporting others, sharing ideas, and explaining design choices. The clinic format is designed to be positive and developmental, helping students learn how to receive feedback, manage time, and celebrate effort as much as outcomes. This class supports healthy gaming by turning Minecraft into a guided social and creative experience rather than unstructured screen time.
Registration Begins: Thursday, August 20th @ 9:00am
Program Dates: Mondays, November 2nd - December 7th
No class on November 23rd
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Character Creation in Pixel Art allows participants to step into the world of pixel artistry and bring your unique characters to life! In this class, students will design, outfit, and animate characters, creating everything from basic moves like running and jumping to more complex sequences like victory, defeat, and attacks. By the end of the session, participants will have digital stills and GIFs of their creations to share with friends and family. Whether students are beginners or experienced artists, this class offers a fun, creative environment to build confidence, explore character design, and enhance their digital art skills.
Program Dates: Mondays, November 2nd - December 7th
No class on November 23rd
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Character Creation in Pixel Art allows participants to step into the world of pixel artistry and bring your unique characters to life! In this class, students will design, outfit, and animate characters, creating everything from basic moves like running and jumping to more complex sequences like victory, defeat, and attacks. By the end of the session, participants will have digital stills and GIFs of their creations to share with friends and family. Whether students are beginners or experienced artists, this class offers a fun, creative environment to build confidence, explore character design, and enhance their digital art skills.
Registration Begins: Thursday, August 20th @ 9:00am
Program Dates: Mondays, November 2nd - December 7th
No class on November 23rd
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 6:45pm - 8:15pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Minecraft Bedwars Clinic introduces students to the foundations of team-based competitive play in a structured and coach-led environment. Participants will learn core concepts such as communication, role awareness, resource management, defense, attacking strategy, timing, and adapting to opponents. The clinic is designed for students who enjoy Minecraft and want to better understand how to play with purpose, support teammates, and make thoughtful in-game decisions. Coaches will emphasize respect, emotional regulation, resilience, and learning from both wins and losses. The goal is not just to become better at Bedwars, but to help students build confidence, teamwork, and healthy competitive habits.
Program Dates: Mondays, November 2nd - December 7th
No class on November 23rd
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 6:45pm - 8:15pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Minecraft Bedwars Clinic introduces students to the foundations of team-based competitive play in a structured and coach-led environment. Participants will learn core concepts such as communication, role awareness, resource management, defense, attacking strategy, timing, and adapting to opponents. The clinic is designed for students who enjoy Minecraft and want to better understand how to play with purpose, support teammates, and make thoughtful in-game decisions. Coaches will emphasize respect, emotional regulation, resilience, and learning from both wins and losses. The goal is not just to become better at Bedwars, but to help students build confidence, teamwork, and healthy competitive habits.
Registration Begins: Thursday, August 20th @ 9:00am
Program Dates: Mondays, January 25th - March 1st
No class on February 15th
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Intro to Video Editing and Streaming gives students a beginner-friendly look at how gaming content is planned, captured, edited, and shared responsibly. Participants will explore the basics of storytelling, clips, pacing, audio, visual presentation, and what makes content engaging and appropriate for an audience. The class will also introduce important conversations around digital identity, online safety, privacy, positive communication, and the difference between creating for fun and creating for public platforms. Students will learn that strong content creation is not just about playing games, but about planning, editing, reflection, and responsible self-expression. This program aligns with Affinity Esports’ healthy gaming mission by helping students engage with gaming media in a thoughtful, creative, and balanced way.
Program Dates: Mondays, January 25th - March 1st
No class on February 15th
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Intro to Video Editing and Streaming gives students a beginner-friendly look at how gaming content is planned, captured, edited, and shared responsibly. Participants will explore the basics of storytelling, clips, pacing, audio, visual presentation, and what makes content engaging and appropriate for an audience. The class will also introduce important conversations around digital identity, online safety, privacy, positive communication, and the difference between creating for fun and creating for public platforms. Students will learn that strong content creation is not just about playing games, but about planning, editing, reflection, and responsible self-expression. This program aligns with Affinity Esports’ healthy gaming mission by helping students engage with gaming media in a thoughtful, creative, and balanced way.
Registration Begins: Thursday, August 20th @ 9:00am
Program Dates: Mondays, January 25th - March 1st
No class on February 15th
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 6:45pm - 8:15pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Rocket League Introductory Clinic introduces students to one of the most accessible and team-oriented esports titles in a structured, coach-led setting. Participants will learn foundational skills such as movement, spacing, rotation, positioning, communication, boost management, and team decision-making. The clinic is designed to support both newer players and developing competitors by focusing on improvement, teamwork, and game understanding rather than only winning. Coaches will reinforce positive habits such as managing frustration, encouraging teammates, reviewing mistakes, and practicing with purpose. Rocket League provides a strong platform for teaching healthy competition because success depends on communication, patience, resilience, and trust between teammates.
Program Dates: Mondays, January 25th - March 1st
No class on February 15th
Location: Bigelow Center for Senior Activities
Time: 6:45pm - 8:15pm
Ages: 7 - 14
Fee: $160.00/5 weeks
Register Online
Brief Description of the Course: Rocket League Introductory Clinic introduces students to one of the most accessible and team-oriented esports titles in a structured, coach-led setting. Participants will learn foundational skills such as movement, spacing, rotation, positioning, communication, boost management, and team decision-making. The clinic is designed to support both newer players and developing competitors by focusing on improvement, teamwork, and game understanding rather than only winning. Coaches will reinforce positive habits such as managing frustration, encouraging teammates, reviewing mistakes, and practicing with purpose. Rocket League provides a strong platform for teaching healthy competition because success depends on communication, patience, resilience, and trust between teammates.
Please note: Programs may be canceled if minimum enrollment is not met.
If a program is canceled, registered participants will receive a full refund.
