Stride, Inc. the nation’s leading online and blended learning program provider—is teaming up with esports and gaming education platform LeagueSpot and comprehensive esports player development program Cloud9 Training Grounds to deliver a free esports camps and events for students across the U.S. this summer.
The collaboration offers an engaging esports and educational experience for students ages 8-18. Utilizing privacy and data security technology, Stride and LeagueSpot will provide a uniquely safe esports platform that seamlessly transitions from classroom to competition to open play. Cloud9 Training Grounds will connect professional coaches with Stride campers in a safe online environment where players can practice their skills, build long-lasting friendships, and play the games they love in a secure, supervised space.
“This partnership combines the fun, freedom, and facilitation of traditional summer camp with much-loved esports, introducing students to a trusted roster of top-ranked coaches, coding skills, and gameplay with their friends,” said Les Ottolenghi, Stride’s Chief Technology and Information Officer. “Cloud9 and LeagueSpot are leaders in their field, and their support of Stride-powered students will take this summer’s offering to new heights.”
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Stride’s Esports Summer Camp introduces young gamers of all ability levels to a variety of games and skill-building opportunities, including Minecraft© Design, Scratch Coding, and Esports Skills Coaching. Each two-week session is led by a professional esports coach specialized in teaching esports skills provided by Cloud9 Training Grounds. Stride will leverage LeagueSpot’s unique AutoMatcher feature, an event system that eliminates forfeits plaguing other gaming platforms for school-aged players.
“The LeagueSpot team is thrilled to engage in this ambitious and game-changing partnership,” said Andrew Barnett, LeagueSpot CEO. “The top names in esports and education are coming together to provide unparalleled access and opportunity for students everywhere.”
In addition to Stride’s summer camp programs, older players looking for a more competitive experience can join weekly events across several titles, including Fortnite©, Smash Brothers©, and Rocket League©. These events will reward players ages 13-25 with special prizes including hardware, school supplies, limited-run apparel, and even scholarships for top players.
The esports industry is expected to grow to $3 billion in 2022, according to Goldman Sachs, with ESPN reporting expanding opportunities in higher education and career development—including more than 125 colleges offering varsity esports and awarding more than $15 million in scholarships annually.