Jesiah Z. Owens believes gaming is no longer just a game. He utilizes video games as a form of "play therapy" as a way to give back to children at hospitals and through his first summer gaming and anime camp.
"It's a tool that actually helps to change people's lives," said the 17-year-old Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Side Quest Magazine, an online interactive digital magazine dedicated to gaming and anime.
"Side Quest Club House is an opportunity for community children who have less access to the gaming industry to have greater exposure this summer."
When the Club House Digital Summer Session launches on Monday, July 11, 2022, Jesiah Z. Owens hopes the program he created will provide youth with hands-on exposure and interactive space to use their interest and talent to share their voices.
The tech camp begins July 11 through July 15 and ends July 25 at the Omega Family Resource and Learning Center, 132 South Harrison Street in East Orange.
The Club House sessions will be held from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. inside a historic mansion, now owned by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
As part of the Summer session of Club House, Jesiah Z. Owens will share his love of gaming, writing and technology with other youth participating in the club styled camp.
Youth will have the opportunity to foster their team-building skills and work side by side with the young visionary and entrepreneur, creating content for the digital magazine he launched in 2021.
In 2017, Jesiah, the founder of Side Quest Magazine, was hospitalized at John Hopkins Children's hospital, where he discovered firsthand the healing power of gaming.
Jesiah's experience became one of the key reasons that inspired him to create the magazine and the Club House Gaming Summer Camp. He is an Unstoppable Youth Ambassador and volunteers his time with the new organization to mentor youth and share his love of gaming.
The Club House Program is a part of the Omega Psi Phi Eta Pi Chapter Summer Mentor Series.
Youth can Register at https://bit.ly/SummerMentor2022.
Side Quest Magazine's mission is two-fold: building a creative platform for video game culture kids and young adults, giving them a place where they can contribute and deliver their invaluable voice.
"Our goal is to meet youth where they are and help them make the transition from boys to young men in school, careers and life," said Matt Stevens, Mentoring Program Committee Chairman.
"We are proud to support the efforts of Jesiah and have additionally awarded him a college scholarship to assist in his transition to college."
Jesiah Owens will be attending Ramapo College in September and hopes to use this summer digital camp to make a difference and encourage other youth to pursue careers in technology, animation and design.
As part of the summer program, participants will explore career opportunities in the gaming industry, enjoy interactive sessions and create content for a special edition of Side Quest Magazine.
For more information, visit www.sidequestmagazine.com.