Our Story
What began with a teacher and three students in the spring of 2014, quickly developed into the most meaningful experience of an educator's career. By empowering the student population, which was and is not usually celebrated by society, the Career Magnet School Video Game Club (VGC) began to promote positive social emotional experience and skills through gaming.
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In September of 2018, Josh Bound delivered this TEDx Lancaster presentation and announced to the world the foundation of the Video Game Clubs of America.
The Timeline
Spring 2015: The Idea
1 teacher and 3 students were discussing the pros and cons of gaming consoles during some down time, when one of the students said; "How cool would it be to have a video game club?" #BoomBigIdea
Fall 2015: A Greater Purpose
Career Magnet School video game club becomes THE VGC, and hosts it's first 24 hour gaming marathon for charity.
A student, Chris Sellers, passes away from leukemia during this time period. THE VGC donates $1,500 to the Sellers family to help offset the funeral costs.
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And it became apparent our mission was to make the socially awkward, socially active, and give back to society. #GamingForGood
Chris Sellers, 1997-2015
2016: Becoming Socially Active
THE VGC hosts a Minecraft room at the Chambersburg Area School District's Autism Walk.
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THE VGC hosts a second 24 hour gaming marathon and raises $3,100 to purchase Nintendo Wii consoles to be put in 15 different pediatric rooms in the Chambersburg hospital.
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Additionally, we supply an encyclopedia of games and DVD's and instructions for use.
2017: Breaking Out
Using Minecraft, members of the VGC@CMS were able to connect with local youth.
Our members practiced social skills and mentoring while participants gained knowledge about the MC universe. #WinWinWin
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17 Teens accepted the challenge to play 12 retirees from a local retirement home to games of Wii bowling and board games. We lost. #GreatestGeneration
2018: A TEDx Talk & Announcement
In the Fall of 2018, Josh Bound delivered a TEDx Talk in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The speech was titled "Making the Socially Awkward, Socially Active." and it told the story of how his Career Magnet School Video Game Club had been successful in promoting positive social emotional learning.
As his talk came to an end, Josh announced to the world the creation of The Video Game Clubs of America and the cat was officially out of the bag.
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#RethinkGaming
#EveryoneGames
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2019: Spreading the Word
Josh Bound presented at ISTE and "Pitched" his ​ideas at the Apple Distinguished Educators Institute of the Americas.
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Members presented at Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference.
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The Framework for the Promotion of Social Emotional Learning Through Gaming was made public for download and quickly followed by the 1 to 1 Framework.
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Clubs across the United States began forming based on VGCUSA ideals.