The Westerly-Pawcatuck YMCA Esports Lab, powered in partnership with Metro Esports, provides a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where youth can play, learn, and grow through gaming. Our program blends competitive esports with education, teamwork, and personal development, offering opportunities such as camps, leagues, tournaments, open play, birthday parties, and STEM & coding classes. With guidance from trained staff and industry professionals, participants build critical skills like communication, problem-solving, digital literacy, and sportsmanship—both on and off the screen. At the Y, esports is more than gaming; it’s a pathway to learning, connection, and confidence.
The Metro Esports Lounge is located at the Westerly-Pawcatuck YMCA)
All Ocean Community YMCA members have access to the open play hours listed below. If you’d like to sign up for one of the esports programs such as session-based classes, leagues or tournaments, please visit our program registration page.
We also have community events throughout the year, if you’re interested, please visit our events section to see what’s happening.
Consoles:
Games: Cycle seasonally! (Need to get a complied list from Ari)
NOTICE: Children 12 and under will have some game account restrictions.
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This week blends creativity, competition, and collaboration as campers rotate through Minecraft and Mario-inspired games, cooperative build challenges, and high-energy team activities. During daily S.T.E.A.M. Focus Sessions, campers use Minecraft Education Edition to explore block-based coding and introductory JavaScript, applying their skills to projects that directly impact gameplay and creativity.
This fully immersive Roblox week emphasizes variety, social play, and teamwork as campers explore popular games, obstacle courses, racing challenges, and cooperative experiences that encourage communication and positive competition. During daily S.T.E.A.M. Focus Sessions, campers use Roblox Studio to learn the basics of game design, animation, logic, and scripting while creating their own maps and understanding how Roblox games are made.
This high-energy week is packed with action, teamwork, and friendly competition as campers dive into Fortnite and Fall Guys through guided matches, team challenges, mini-games, and structured tournaments. During S.T.E.A.M. Focus Sessions, campers use Fortnite Creative to design and play-test their own game modes, exploring map layout, objectives, scoring, and simple logic tools while refining their creations.
This second Roblox week offers a fresh mix of competitive and cooperative games, challenges, and team-based activities that keep both new and returning campers engaged. During S.T.E.A.M. Focus Sessions, campers build on their skills in Roblox Studio by exploring more advanced design concepts and Lua scripting, refining their creations through testing, feedback, and hands-on experimentation.
This competitive gaming week features age-appropriate esports titles, skill-based challenges, team scrimmages, and mini-tournaments that emphasize communication, strategy, and teamwork in a fun, inclusive environment. During daily S.T.E.A.M. Focus Sessions, campers explore real-world technology through a hands-on Build-a-PC experience, learning computer components, assembling hardware, and connecting gaming to how computers actually work.
This creative week blends Minecraft activities, Mario-themed competitions, and collaborative challenges to keep campers engaged and energized. During S.T.E.A.M. Focus Sessions, campers design, test, and refine their own Mario Makerstyle levels, exploring game design concepts like pacing, balance, and player feedback through hands-on iteration.
This week combines competitive play with the fundamentals of esports livestream and broadcast production as campers compete in Fortnite and Fall Guys through team challenges and structured matches. During S.T.E.A.M. Focus Sessions, campers rotate through broadcast roles and learn the basics of OBS, commentary, camera views, and on-screen presentation while working together to simulate a real esports production.
This week connects traditional sports concepts with esports through Rocket League and other sports-based games, emphasizing teamwork, positioning, communication, and strategy through drills and structured competitions. During S.T.E.A.M. Focus Sessions, campers explore performance training concepts like reaction time, decision-making, mindset, and teamwork under pressure, connecting in-game skills to real-world performance.
Food and drink are not allowed.
Sandy is a retired airline captain, a pilot for Fly the Whale, a certified flight instructor and a world record holding skydiver. She’s also been a fitness professional for 35 years, having taught every imaginable fitness class at various YMCAs in Florida and Westerly.
YMCA Group Exercise Instructor; IFTA-Fitness Certified Personal Trainer; CPR certified, and of course just about every flying license known to the FAA.
Due to numerous (but always interesting) injuries in her aviation career, experience as a personal trainer and fitness instructor and also many years of physical therapy, Sandy has a deep understanding of how to reach fitness goals while working with each client’s specific needs. She is also patient and easy to get along with.
Jasmine began training as a Fitness Specialist in 1983, gaining 40 years of experience. She has created diverse programs using equipment like weights, bands, machines, and paddle boards. She enjoys focusing on exploring the science of recovery and practical modality instruction.
Areas of Strength: Applying fitness exercises in a variety of gym, spa, and outdoor environments. Aerobic Dance, Barre, Sunrise Yoga, Kids Camp Paddle Fit Training, Weight Training, Aqua Classes, Pilates
Maryann, a longtime YMCA member from Ledyard, CT, has a lifelong passion for health and fitness, starting with high school sports and long-distance running. She now focuses on helping others improve mobility, strength, and balance through foundational fitness, and is committed to continuous learning and growth.
Athletes centric training, sports specific training, advanced lifting technique and programming, breaking bad habits, and pushing through plateaus. “You’ll never be bored and you are always guaranteed a big smile!”
Laurie became a personal trainer to share the benefits of functional movement, focusing on mobility, stability, and balance for better overall movement. She believes everyone can improve fitness and resilience, regardless of age or ability.
Incorporating screening and corrective exercise programming into workouts. Focus on balance, agility training, core and glute control, active aging.
Health & Wellness Director at OCY Naik Family Branch, is a lifelong athlete, dancer, and U.S. Army veteran. With a background in military training and bodybuilding, she believes physical discipline supports balance in work, family, and healthy living.
Provide corrective exercises and fascial network support tailored to each client’s fitness level, promoting a holistic approach to mental and physical balance. “Find your OWN healthy balance in life!”
Janek is a passionate personal trainer at the YMCA. With a love for fitness and a dedication to helping others, Janek is committed to guiding members to achieve their goals. Whether it’s building strength, improving endurance, losing weight, or reaching new milestones, he is there every step of the way. Get ready to be motivated and inspired!
Friendly and easy to approach and connects well with clients of all ages. “Your HEALTH is your WEALTH!”
Heather is an avid gardener and poetry and fiction writer who has worked for the YMCA for 8 years. Her experience teaching the basics with great form will build a foundation for excellent results.
Works well with all ages and fitness levels while specializing in dynamic stretching and strengthening.
Landon volunteers with the Westerly Fire Dept. In his own training, Landon prioritizes the development of barbell movements paired with complimentary Isolation exercises. Landon is going to put you as the client and your goals first.
Improve strength while teaching fundamental movement patterns.
“With awareness and commitment, your goal is never out of reach.”
Jim is a US Marine Corps veteran, dog lover, and retired RI Police Officer. Jim was a defensive tactics instructor on the dive team and assisted the RI Police Academy with physical fitness assessments while on the police force. NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) d personal trainer
Emphatic outlook towards clients with in-depth effort to ensure the most progress in each clients goals.
“If you are looking for someone that believes in the golden rule of quality service (I give the quality service that | would like to receive) then | am the coach for you”
Amy is a retired military officer and navy pilot. Amy has expertise meeting the unique training needs of women, retirees, and cancer survivors. Amy’s passionate about creating a positive, safe & motivating space where individuals can pursue their personal fitness goals
Areas of Strength: YMCA‘s “Women on Weights,” “Livestrong” programs, and is a Livestrong Coach
“Define Your Own Strong–Your Best Workout Starts Today!”
Cameron is our full-time Fitness Coordinator. While working for the YMCA for 3 years, he has become very confident in his ability to listen to and understand the needs of clients and implement the proper program. He is commended for his extensive knowledge of the fitness floor and his easy-going attitude while helping clients to meet their goals.
Connects well with all different types of clients from youth to seniors, demonstrated by his coaching of the youth/teen strength and conditioning classes, Punch Back @Parkinsons Instructor
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
Ethan, a Team USA athlete and 9x world games medalist, is also Stonington’s Deputy Harbormaster. A former U.S. Naval Academy rowing captain and wilderness ranger with the National Park Service, he offers training for goals like hiking the AT, preparing for sports, military service, or marathons
Athlete-centric training, sports-specific training, advanced lifting technique and programming, breaking bad habits and pushing through plateaus.
“It’s supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it.”
As a competitive soccer player in Mexico City, Gerardo developed a passion for lifelong wellness and total life fitness—both mentally and physically. He studied Communications and is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and English.
Body core strengthening, functional body weight training, and balance-stability focus especially for seniors
Helen is a triathlete, marathon runner, author, wife, and mother of two. As a Wellness Coach and Personal Trainer, she helps women achieve health goals across 10 life areas, offering personalized nutrition and workout plans for overall wellness.
Strength, nutrition, running, flexibility, LIVESTRONG Instructor
“Anything is possible!”
Anna has 34 years of experience in fitness and is a military spouse, has moved 17 times in 40+ years of marriage. A mother and grandmother, she’s patient and dedicated to helping clients reach their fitness goals. Friendly and approachable, she enjoys sharing healthy habits.
Strength training, women’s programs, cancer survivors, and clients with Parkinson’s. She’s a former WBFF and NPC bodybuilding competitor.
Originally from New Hampshire, Brennan is a former Division 3 basketball player with a degree in sports management. He emphasizes the importance of balancing fitness with daily life to help you thrive and feel your best at any age.
Trigger point therapy, corrective exercises, weight loss, strength training, TRX, Golf & Basketball
“It’s not just fitness, it’s a lifestyle.”
Providing support to current levels of fitness to recovering from surgery, a long bout of inactivity or looking to progress to the next level of fitness.
“My greatest joys are to help my clients discover or rediscover their personal strength, flexibility, range of motion and endurance capabilities waiting to be realized!”