VERO BEACH — For 9-year-old Connor Vaughn, gaming is no longer just about screen time — it’s about teamwork, confidence and learning new skills. Alongside his mom, Emily, he’s part of a growing number of families discovering SNDBX, a program designed for ages 9 to 14 that combines structured competition with coaching and character development.
Connor started playing a few months ago and has already participated in multiple camps and a Fortnite league. He said the league paired players in duos, pushing them to communicate, plan and learn strategies together. Connor teamed up with a partner named Hudson and said he made friends while learning how to play better. He finished fifth out of 10 players and earned a participation trophy.
Connor said the biggest lessons were “soft skills,” including teamwork and learning how to lose gracefully. He also said the program feels accessible for kids with disabilities because they can compete even if they are in a wheelchair.
Emily said she initially hesitated because she worried about too much screen time. She changed her mind after seeing the program’s structure and supervision. She said coaches create a safe, social environment and help kids play face-to-face rather than alone online.
She also noticed Connor’s growth in handling disappointment. In the past, she said, he would cry after losses in sports. In SNDBX, he accepted a tough finish without melting down, which she called “massive.”
Coach Keith Colangelo, who was a surgical assistant but is a Realtor now, said the Fortnite league ran 10 weeks with a small group of eight kids, allowing more individual attention. He said coaches focus early on emotional regulation and conflict management. When kids get eliminated, coaches encourage them to breathe, review what happened and move on to the next round. Coaches also reinforce appropriate language, using “eliminate” instead of harsher terms.
SNDBX runs out of movie theaters, giving kids the thrill of seeing gameplay on a big screen. The program also blends gaming with physical activity. In camps, kids spend about two hours outside playing sports and strategy games, including capture the flag, connecting real-life teamwork to in-game tactics.
SNDBX operates as a startup supported by multiple sponsors and is expanding beyond Vero Beach, with plans for additional locations in Orlando and Melbourne. The long-term goal, Keith said, is simple: build better humans through play.
Questions may be directed to Emily Vaughn at 772-202-2239 and the site for leagues/spring and summer camps/birthday parties is https://sndbxverobeach.com/?ref=GAMETOGETHER.