You teach KIDS how to play bridge?

By Mary Lattan

Bid, declarer, dummy, major, minor, no trump, vulnerable, transfer, Stayman, slam

If you see someone wearing a t-shirt with these terms and more, ask them how much fun they had at Youth Bridge Camp 2009.

Youth bridge history was made when the first residential Youth Bridge Camp for youth ages 11-14 was held June 28-July 3 at Lake Williamson Christian Center in Carlinville IL. More than 40 campers, counselors, teachers and table coaches from central Illinois, suburban Chicago, Missouri and Wisconsin enjoyed a fun-packed week where the focus was learning and playing the game of duplicate bridge. Five to six hours each day were spent in bridge lessons, free and tournament play.

Volleyball, racquetball, wacky basketball, mini-golf and pool were some of the recreational activities campers and staff participated in, not to mention all the fun offered at the lakefront. All put the blob, trampoline, iceberg, slides, canoes and paddleboats to good use.

Surprise evening activities included a build-your-own-sundae night, a hayride combined with roasting marshmallows to make s’mores, Rice Krispie night and a pizza party. Parents joined in for lunch on Friday afternoon to hear presentations and the announcements of awards.

Unit 223 of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) sponsored Youth Bridge Camp 2009. Funding was provided by a substantial grant from the ACBL Educational Foundation. Other donors include two duplicate clubs in Edwardsville and Effingham, as well as seven individuals who donated generously to make the Youth Bridge Camp a rousing success.

“Camp is awesome” and “ YES! I’m coming back next year”, were just a few comments made by campers at the end of the week. The counselors, table coaches and teachers heartily agreed.

YES, we do teach kids how to play bridge. It is happening in Effingham, Edwardsville and Carlinville IL, Mt. Pleasant IA, Atlanta GA, Reno NV, San Francisco CA and multiple school districts in northern New Jersey. Six campers attend Carlinville Middle School, which has had an active after-school Bridge Club for five years.