September 9: New Member Night
We recently hosted New Member Night in the Discord, introducing the two new members to the community and setting expectations for server behavior. Our staff, along with one of our kid leaders, kicked off the evening with a lighthearted welcome and a rundown of the night’s activities.
We went over key server rules, including online safety tips like never sharing passwords and avoiding DMs from strangers. The kids learned how to submit support tickets and explored chat channels so they will have no issues navigating the platform.
For the group activity, the kids played fun games like Bobble League and Sketch Heads to get to know each other.
It was a great way to welcome our two new members and help them feel at home in our community!
September 10: Cyber Skills
Day 2 kicked off with our cyber skills class, "Understanding Your Gaming Computer Part 1." This session introduces students to essential computer skills, starting with a warm welcome and activities to get everyone engaged.
The class covered the importance of avoiding viruses, how mastering computers can help finish tasks faster, and how future jobs (from farming to graphic design) will rely on computer skills. Students even shared jobs they didn’t realize involved computers!
We also explained the basics of hardware (like the CPU, RAM, and SSDs) and software, including operating systems like Windows 11. To make things interactive, students were asked to name different hardware parts of the PC.
Lastly, they practiced key shortcuts (how to copy-paste, take screenshots) and learned how to use Task Manager to monitor their computer’s performance.
Stay tuned for more classes as we continue to build essential tech skills for the future!
September 11: Coach Q&A & Queue Hour
On Wednesday we started off with Coach Q&A, where the kids came prepared with questions about Valorant. Most of the questions related to their mechanics, or their mouse aim in game. Our coach explained how a strategy called “crosshair placement” would drastically improve their mechanics. He showed them a drill to practice and gave a video to watch on their own.
After coaching, they all joined a Valorant game together and played for the next hour.
September 12: Valorant Class
This week, we introduced Valorant, a tactical shooter. Before class, students installed the game and completed the tutorial. We covered the basics like game modes (Competitive, Deathmatch, Spike Rush), weapon mechanics (no running while shooting, controlled bursts), and practiced aim by shooting bots in the range for 10 minutes. We also guided students on optimizing settings for better performance. For extra help, they watched this video. It was a great session for skill-building and hands-on activities!
September 13: Esports Class
This week, we focused on the differences between ranked and team-based play. Ranked play emphasizes individual performance, while team mentality requires communication, coordination, and trust for group success. Students learned the importance of resolving conflicts with consistent teammates in real tournaments, highlighting patience and problem-solving. We also introduced the role of the In-Game Leader (IGL) as the team’s strategist, helping guide team decisions. Finally, we watched an example of professional esports players team communication and talked about how we could all implement some of their habits into our own gameplay.
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