What is Esports? What is esports at Northwestern?
This camp is for Overwatch 2 and Rocket League players.
This camp is designed to give students the full collegiate esports experience, and equip them with the skills they need to excel as competitors and leaders. Students will receive collegiate level instruction while practicing in the Raider Esports Arena with other passionate competitors. In addition to gameplay and practice, students will participate in daily workshops that take them out of the arena and equip them with communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. Beyond esports, this week-long experience provides students the opportunity to grow in their independence and confidence. Esports campers will also have additional opportunities to make lifelong friendships and interact with other like minded esports competitors. Campers will also receive a year of Q&A access to the Northwestern Esports coaching staff via our camp discord.
These camps will take place on Northwestern College's campus in Orange City, Iowa.
In person team play experience
Exposure to Northwestern's varsity esports recruiters
Daily physical training
Daily workshops outside of the esports arena
Quality instruction on a variety on topics including
- Gameplay (fundamentals & advanced concepts)
- Communication, Planning, and Strategy
- How to VOD review
- Creating an effective training plan
- Leading your team
Sleeping bag or linens for your bed
Pillow
Rain gear
Clothes
Physical activity clothes (Mon-Wed)
Toiletries
Towel & soap
Deodorant
Smartphone (with Life 360 app installed)
Phone charger
Notebook & writing utensils
Cash/fun money
Discord account: https://discord.com/
Overwatch 2 or Rocket League game license on PC (free)
Rocket League players only: Controller & cable to plug into a PC (Xbox One, Xbox series X, Playstation 4, or Playstation 5)
Optional: Mouse, Keyboard, Headset (HyperX equipment is provided, but you may bring your own if desired)
Laptops, PCs, Consoles
Sunday, June 25
4:30-6pm Check in
5:30 Supper
6:30pm Welcome session
7:30pm Team building
8:30pm Gameplay in arena
10pm Free time
12am/Midnight Lights Out
Mon-Wed, June 26-28
7:30am Breakfast
9am Gameplay in arena
12pm Lunch
1:15pm Personal development/leadership workshops
2:15pm Free time
4:15pm Team building
5pm Supper
6:15pm Gameplay in arena
8:30pm Physical activity
9pm Free time
12am/Midnight Lights Out
Thursday, June 29
7:30am Breakfast
9am closing session
9:30am clean rooms
10:30-11:30am parent pick up / camp dismissal
*Exact times subject to minor adjustments
Coaches & chaperones will be present during entire camp (including the overnight portion).
CPR, AED, and First-aid certified staff will be present during the camp.
All campers will be required to join our Life 360 group and keep their phones with them for the duration of the camp.
Orange City, IA is a small, quiet, college town and has been named the 2nd safest city in Iowa.
A: This camp goes beyond playing video games, and is designed to give students the full collegiate esports experience, and equip them with the skills they need to excel as competitors and leaders. Students will receive collegiate level instruction while practicing in the Raider Esports Arena with other passionate competitors. In addition to gameplay and practice, students will participate in daily workshops that take them out of the arena and equip them with communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. Beyond esports, this week-long experience provides students the opportunity to grow in their independence and confidence. Esports campers will also have additional opportunities to make lifelong friendships and interact with other like minded esports competitors.
Q: How is practicing esports different from playing video games?
A: Esports requires great communication, teamwork, interpersonal skills on top of in game skill development. Playing video games is primarily a casual entertainment activity.
Q: I've never been on an esports team before, can I still participate?
A: Yes! The only requirement is prior experience playing Overwatch or Rocket League.
Q: I've never played Overwatch or Rocket League before, can I still participate?
A: Prior experience playing Overwatch or Rocket League is required for this camp.
Q: I play Rocket League/Overwatch on Playstation/Xbox, can I still sign up?
A: Yes! Just bring your controller & controller cable with you to the camp and we’ll help you get it connected to our PCs. Or, you can use the mice & keyboards that we provide.
Q: Will I just be playing video games the whole time?
A: No. An important aspect of esports is game-life balance. Other key components of this camp are collegiate level coaching, team building activities, personal development and leadership workshops, and physical activities that will take place outside of the esports arena.
Q: How will you accommodate special dietary needs/food allergies?
A: Dietary needs and allergies are submitted during registration, and the food service will accommodate those needs. If desired or required, students may bring their own food. Refrigerators and microwaves will be available.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Contact Coach Prescott at cole.prescott@nwciowa.edu