After school, you may be surprised to see - or hear - that Camden High School’s Tuthill Learning Commons becomes one of the noisiest places on campus. A generally quiet library swells with raucous enthusiasm and laughter that is expected of an arcade, and the visuals would match.
At its core, the space remains the same. A library is a haven for all, and in this case, it just so happens to involve video games instead of books. Welcome to the Camden ESports program.
Camden ESports is in its third year, and provides a place for students to compete and collaborate over a shared love of video games. The club currently serves 16 students ranging from 7th grade to 11th grade.
The club originally formed with the idea of competing against schools across the east coast in games like Rocket League, but the focus has recently shifted since to a less competitive atmosphere, which has resonated with the students. At any given club meeting, you’ll see students focused on Mario Kart, Roblox, Rivals of Aether, and Super Smash Brothers, among others. You’ll also see students dip their proverbial toes in the water on something they haven’t played before.
Along the way, they’re making friends across buildings and grade levels they might not otherwise have, and the younger students enjoy having older role models to look up to that share their interest.
While they might be doing this exact thing at home, advisor Dustin Losurdo feels it’s hard to replicate the connections students are making by being part of something at school. The sense of connection is equally as important to helping students make positive choices in those important hours after school, when they may or may not have found an outlet for their time otherwise.
“I feel that many of these kids would go home and game anyways, so giving them the opportunity to be part of something and work together is tremendous," Losurdo said. "Instead of gaming "alone" this gives the students the chance to be with friends and other peers who share a common interest.”