In February of 2025, after nearly three decades of service, the Game Loft unexpectedly closed, and the Phoenix Knights rose from the ashes to carry on its mission. We are a group of former Game Loft Staff, Youth Board Members, Parents, and community members who are dedicated to maintaining this vital pillar of our community. We aim to provide a safe and inclusive place where kids can go after school to find friendship and mentorship, enjoy healthy snacks, and cultivate skills through participating in non-electronic gaming. Phoenix Knights Gaming is 100% free and open to all Waldo County youth. Any funds we raise will go directly to:
- Compensation for the former Game Loft staff – now Phoenix Knights volunteers – for their time and effort running games and coordinating all programming and events.
- Fresh, healthy food and game supplies to keep participants fed and engaged.
- Administrative costs of setting up a new organization, including insurance and legal fees.
A little more about the Game Loft…
For nearly three decades the Game Loft served generations of Waldo County youth through free programming, open to all. The Game Loft was more than just a place to trade cards or play board games; it was a fixture of the community, providing a safe and supportive place where kids could go after school to find friendship, mentorship, non-electronic gaming, and free hot meals. At the Game Loft, kids would engage in volunteerism and service, go on local adventures, and mature as valued members of our community. This service was always there for families, asking nothing of the working parents who relied on it for daily care, who could trust that their kids were safe, fed, and included, regardless of their background. While we can’t be the Game Loft, we can still carry on the core values of what made it so great: fostering a place for kids to grow and thrive in our community!
Phoenix Knights Gaming 