Groups partner to host five-week Summer Camp for Compton K-12 Students

California State University, Dominguez Hills

1000 E. Victoria Street, Carson, CA 90747

CARSON, Calif. – The CSUDH Esports program is pleased to announce its partnership with GEAR UP – Compton to provide a five-week summer Computer Science camp for K-12 students. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program) is a federally funded program designed to elevate the academic achievement, college attendance, and graduation rates of first-generation, low-income, underrepresented, and underserved students. The CSUDH Esports Program will demonstrate to the camp attendees all the infinite possibilities that the Esports and video gaming fields have to offer.

Ruben Caputo, the CSUDH Esports Academic Advisor and team GM, declared that, “We are thrilled to be partnered with GEAR UP-Compton; this collaboration will open more opportunities for our students.” The partnership will also provide Compton Unified School district pupils a chance to access benefits such as: one-on-one advising, academic and tutoring support, college and career exploration opportunities, skill building workshops, enrichment programs, college visits, and educational field trips.

GEAR UP – Compton will allow the district to implement, “A holistic approach to student success. As part of this holistic approach, we offer a broad range of activities for our students that support their academic performance and preparation for post-secondary education”, according to the Executive Director, Maximilliano Rosas.

“The implementation of immersive activities helps broaden students’ knowledge of STEAM careers, and is one reason why we are so excited to be collaborating with the Esports Association at CSUDH. The programming that the Esports team offers our students provides them with essential skills like problem-solving, strategy development, communication, and we’ve even observed our students positioning themselves as team leaders. These are all skills necessary not only to become successful college students, but also to become successful adults.

The need for community programs like GEAR UP – Compton was also echoed by Cesar Cedano, one of the CSUDH Esports Association Mentors. Cedano referenced his own experiences with GEAR UP, starting how, “This program is personally important to me because it is an opportunity to give back to the community that gave me a chance in Esports and beyond, such as fostering my leadership qualities.”

HyperX, one of the world’s leading vendors of professional-grade gaming gear designed for both PC and console gamers, is also contributing to the effort and helping to support our ever-expanding Esports community by donating a number of their lightweight Cloud Stinger^TM gaming headsets to the program. “HyperX is excited to extend our support to CSUDH Esports Program and support the growth of Esports and video game field with quality gaming headsets,” said Kitty Nguyen, HyperX’s’s Esports sponsorship specialist. “HyperX appreciates being part of this experience and we are excited to enhance the gamer’s experiences within the CSUDH’s program.” Cloud Stinger gaming headsets are notable for providing award-winning comfort, along with optimal audio performance and gaming-grade sound quality.

The CSUDH Esports Programs centered in four domain areas: academic research, community engagement, competition and entertainment. The aim is to meet the needs of all students by providing development programs within the Esports environment that will lead to transferable career skills.