Watch Now: Illinois Wesleyan Launches Esports Camp; the language school returns | local education

BLOOMINGTON — Illinois Wesleyan University is hosting its first youth esports and leadership camp this summer.

The IWU Language School for Kids is also returning this summer in person after going virtual last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The esports camp is intended for children from 10 to 14 years old. They will have the chance to play Fortnite, Rocket League and Among Us.

But camp isn’t just about playing games, according to the university. It will also include lessons in leadership, communication and how to be a healthy player.

The IWU Esports coaching staff will lead students through physical activities and group exercises in tandem with esports games.

IWU’s esports program began as a registered student organization in the spring of 2017 and launched its varsity program in the fall of 2018.

Since then, other schools, including Illinois State University, Lincoln College, and Heartland Community College, have added esports programs.

Places are still available for the first session, which begins Monday and ends Friday. The deadline for registration is Sunday.

Registration continues for the second session, which will take place from July 12 to 16.

Links for registration are at bit.ly/3gdvkbC.

The language school for children will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 14 to 24.

The school welcomes children from kindergarten to fifth grade. They have the opportunity to learn the French or Spanish language and culture. Classes are divided by age group and previous language experience and bilingual/heritage speakers are welcome.

Classes will be held in the Buck Memorial Library or on the IWU quad, weather permitting.

The fee of $240 per student includes tuition and course materials. There is a reduced fee for multiple siblings of $216.

The registration deadline is June 11, but Spanish for Kindergarten to Grade 2 is already sold out and there are only a few spots left in Spanish for students in Grades 3 to 5.

For more information and to register, go to iwu.edu/lsk. Direct your questions to [email protected]

The Children’s Language School began in 2015 and is made possible by a 2014 Donnocker Program Innovation Grant and ongoing support from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.