Hagaman Memorial Library Launches Kids' Summer Gaming Academy

EAST HAVEN, CT —They're not playing games.

In an effort to help kids improve literacy, social, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, the Hagaman Memorial Library starts its Summer Gaming Academy for Kids and Teens June 26.

The EH Summer Gaming Academy will run every Wednesday between from through Aug. 14 beginning at 2 p.m.

Free and open to all children and teenagers between from 10 to 17, the Gaming Academy will provide the chance to play through a wide variety of board and card games — from old classics like Monopoly and Clue to modern favorites like Ticket to Ride and Sushi Go. Kids can also play popular trading card games Pokémon, Lorcana and Magic: The Gathering.

Librarians said interspersed throughout the summer will be special sessions designed to expand the idea of what gaming can be and prepare participants for the capstone project: creating their own board game.

These special sessions will include creating Rube Goldberg machines with Jay Mankita of Creative Contraptions on June 26th, exploring creative problem-solving during Cryptivity with Glenn Harper on July 17, and learning how to cartoon for game design with Debi Hamuka-Falkenham on Aug. 7.

Older teens looking to earn community service hours can volunteer as Mentors throughout the summer. Interested students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in the fall can attend an information session at the library on Thursday, June 13 at 6 p.m. to learn more.

This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library.

For more information on EH Summer Gaming Academy, or any of the library's wonderful summer programming, contact the library at 203-468-3890, or by email at ekalotai@hagamanlibrary.org or sgardiner@hagamanlibrary.org.