This July, Vancouver will host its first-ever esports summer camp for youth, aiming to equip children with valuable life skills through the lens of competitive gaming. The initiative is a collaboration between Burnaby-based Adamas Esports, Lord Byng Secondary School, and the UBC Esports Association.
Running from July 7 to 11, the camp welcomes children aged 10 to 16 for a week of structured esports competitions, professional coaching, and industry insights from experienced gamers. The program is designed not only to foster gaming skills but also to promote teamwork, communication, and healthy habits—mirroring the positive outcomes traditionally associated with sports like soccer or basketball.
Adamas Esports, known for coaching elite professional gamers, is spearheading the camp’s curriculum. CEO and co-founder Caleb Cousens sees esports as a powerful tool for teaching transferable skills, such as stress management, collaboration, and strategic thinking, to a new generation of tech-savvy youth. “Our goal is to use gaming as a platform to teach life skills, much like traditional sports have done for decades,” Cousens explains.
The camp’s approach is holistic, blending gameplay in popular titles like League of Legends, VALORANT, Roblox, and Fortnite with sessions on mindfulness and wellness. Guest speakers from the UBC Esports Association will provide industry perspectives, while Lord Byng Secondary’s esports club sponsor, Jacob Richardson, will help facilitate activities and encourage positive, reflective participation.
Esports is rapidly growing in Canada, with the industry contributing over $5 billion to the national economy in 2024. Many Canadian colleges now offer esports-related diploma programs, highlighting the diverse career opportunities available in this field. For many students, esports clubs and camps provide a supportive environment to develop social skills, build friendships, and gain exposure to potential career paths.
Adamas Esports has enlisted experienced program managers to ensure the camp offers a balanced and engaging experience. The team is committed to addressing parental concerns about social interaction by fostering a cooperative, healthy, and inclusive environment.
The camp costs $225 plus tax for the five-day program, running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and is open to up to 30 participants. Parents interested in registering their children can do so online.
With this new camp, Adamas Esports and its partners hope to set a positive precedent for youth gaming in Vancouver—one that prioritizes personal growth, wellness, and community.
