"Mom, promise I can come back next year!"Youth Bridge Camp 2011 a continued success
Over forty youth from seven states attended the annual Youth Bridge Camp held in Carlinville, IL, June 26-July1 at the Williamson Christian Center. The residential camp was for students entering grades six through ten, who wish to increase their bridge skills and knowledge.
“Some kids walked in the door knowing nothing about Bridge,” said camp coordinator Mary Lattan, “and others had been playing more than five years in a school setting.”
The camp was tailored to meet each child’s skill level, with conventions and play-of-the-hand techniques taught to more skilled players and bridge basics taught to beginners. In the nightly tournaments, both skill sets competed against one another, and the beginners held their own.
In addition to bridge instruction and tournaments, campers were offered lakefront time complete with paddle boats, canoes, a trampoline, zip-line, and a waterslide. Tennis instruction was also offered thanks to one of the counselor/volunteers being an avid tennis player.
A new evening activity was added to the agenda this year: a talent show! Campers entertained one another and volunteers with piano playing, singing, dancing, rapping and even comedy acts.
At the culmination of the week, the Fritz Award for Sportsmanship was given to one beginner and one experienced player. Henry Trautwein of Florida and Julie White from Iowa were chosen by the staff to receive this honor. Camp counselors said the decision was very hard to make because there was a terrific group of campers in attendance.
“This year’s camp was a complete success, with just over 40 campers and 25 on-site counselors/volunteers,” said Lattan. “We hope to recruit 60 campers for Youth Bridge Camp 2012, a 50% increase over 2011.”
With phrases such as “Mom, promise I can come back next year!” and “I wish I could stay here all summer,” Lattan and her team should have no problem achieving next year’s goal.
