Forty young people from 12 states attended the week-long Youth Bridge Camp at Lake Williamson in Carlinville, IL.  Twenty-four campers were repeats from prior years. Two campers were from the Eastern Missouri area (Unit 143) and all the others came from California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey New York, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. 

 

A typical day at bridge camp included lessons and play throughout the day interspersed with typical camp activities.  These activities included archery, miniature golf, 9-square, black light dodge ball and bowling, obstacle course, swimming, golf, ping-pong and tennis.

 

Directors Steve Reiss and Amy Stabenow divided the campers into one of three groups based on bridge skill level.  Phyllis Siegel worked with beginners, Kathy Rolfe taught the intermediate group, and Mike Huston taught the advanced group.  Also participating was Unit 143’s George Marvin.

Seated left to right:  Amy Stabenow, George Marvin, Amy Carver; 

Standing:  Phyllis Siegel, Steve Reiss, Benjamin Torio (2016 Unit 143 scholarship recipient), Kaleigh Ishmael, Andrew Carver

At the end of camp, the kids were asked to fill out a survey.  Here are a few of their responses.

 

QUESTION:  What did you think of Youth Bridge Camp?

One of my favorite experiences yet

10/10

It was amazing.  I loved all the counselors and all the campers.

It was a ton of fun and I am definitely coming back each year until I age out

Great but exhausting

It was super great, I’m loving it

I loved it and I can’t wait to come back next year!!

I loved it and I’m going to be so sad not to come back next year!

I loved it, and I can’t wait for next year

It is a great and fun place to play and learn bridge

It was really fun, and the tournaments were great.

Cool

 

QUESTION:  If you were going to tell someone about Youth Bridge Camp, what would you say?

You will meet some of the greatest friends you will ever have

That it’s really fun and it’s cool to meet new people and learn to play bridge

It’s cool because you make friends and have fun

Coolio

They should go even if they have no idea what bridge is

It’s a fun game and it includes sportsmanship

It is very fun.  The food is not great.  There are tons of water activities and you can win masterpoints

I’d tell them about what I’ve learned and how much fun I had

It’s an amazing camp with great people

It’s a blast.  Do it!

Go, it’s awesome even if you don’t know how to play bridge

Hey, you should go to bridge camp!  It’s really fun and you learn a lot!

Go, Go, Go!  It’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had

If you want to learn bridge and have lots of fun, go to youth bridge camp

You will learn a lot in bridge camp.  There is a lake and 9 square, tennis, also blacklight dodgeball.  You play in a tournament every night.  I hope I see you there.