Join us during the Summer for an enriching Magic: The Gathering program that combines strategic gameplay with educational development!
Perfect for young players ages 10-17 who want to improve their Magic: The Gathering skills while developing math, reading, literacy, and critical thinking abilities aligned with California educational standards.
This inclusive and engaging program is offered weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm, and lasts for eight-weeks between June 9th and August 1st.
You can sign up for the whole program OR just the weeks that make sense for your family’s schedule.
About the Program
Chico Magic’s Summer Academy combines the excitement of Magic: The Gathering with meaningful skill development in a supportive community environment. Designed for players of all experience levels, this program goes beyond just playing a trading card game—it’s about growing as both a player and a person.
A Montessori-inspired Experience
Learn While You Play—Though it might not be obvious at first, Magic: The Gathering naturally cultivates essential life skills through engaging gameplay. Students in our Summer Program develop and hone their mathematical thinking through probability calculations and resource management, expand their reading comprehension and vocabulary with card interactions, and sharpen strategic decision-making abilities. Most importantly, they build core social skills in our collaborative, welcoming environment.
Elevate Your Game—Whether building their first deck or preparing for competitive tournaments, our experienced staff provides personalized guidance tailored to each student’s individual goals based on daily check-in and reflection time. We cover everything from fundamental rules mastery to advanced competitive strategies, with special focus on the current Standard format, allowing players to build the competence and confidence needed to participate in our community events as well as special events just for Summer Program participants.
Exclusive Member Benefits—Program participants enjoy priority registration for our special events and gain access to exclusive card trading sessions and play events available only to Summer Program members. Students can also earn store credit through various achievements and milestones, while becoming part of a tight-knit community of passionate players who share a love for the game.
Join us this summer for an experience that combines education, social competition, and community in the heart of Chico’s premier Magic: The Gathering destination—Chico Magic, located in the Phoenix Building right next to Jon & Bon’s Ice Cream.
Schedule
Every day of the program involves a gathering period where we build and set personalized goals. Then, students engage in blended learning periods that combines strategic gameplay and critical thinking. As the days come to a close, we come together and reflect on our goals, our day, and our sense of belonging to this new community of like-minded players.
On Mondays, the focus is deck building & mathematical foundations through card evaluation, probability calculation, and resource management.
On Tuesdays, the focus is strategic thinking & literacy through card interactions, rules comprehension, and deck building.
On Wednesdays, the focus is on gameplay and tournament preparation through refinement activities and focused play practice.
Important Dates & Times
You can join the program ANY week that works for your family’s schedule. Discounts are available for enrolling in two or more consecutive weeks. See “How to Enroll” section below for costs and signup instructions.
Each week consists of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
- Week 1: June 9, 10, 11
- Week 2: June 16, 17, 18
- Week 3: June 23, 24, 25
- Week 4: June 30, July 1, 2
- Week 5: July 7, 8, 9
- Week 6: July 14, 15, 16
- Week 7: July 21, 22, 23
- Week 8: July 28, 29, 30
Daily drop-off window: 10am – 11am
Daily pick-up window: 2-3pm
How to Enroll
Signup in-person at the Chico Magic store, located at 300 Broadway Street in Downtown Chico. We’re in the Phoenix Building (right by Jon & Bon’s Ice Cream).
- Enroll for all eight weeks: $960 total (~15% discount)
- Enroll for 2-7 weeks: $130/week
- Prepay for one week: $140/week
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Michael Whittemore at Chico Magic. Michael personally designed and operates the program with the help of the store owners. When you call the store phone, just ask to talk to Michael about the summer program.
Store phone: (530) 866-1886
Of course, the best way to get a feel for how the program will operate and what to expect is to come in and talk with us in person. We work hard every day to make the Summer Program at Chico Magic a warm and inviting place for students of all neurotypes.