Adults share love of bridge at Town Hall summer camp

Investor Warren Buffet and Microsoft founder Bill Gates have more in common than business. They both see the value of teaching bridge to children.

With so many teachers in the Town Hall Bridge Club, “the Bill Gates-Warren Buffet idea to introduce bridge into the schools has long had appeal, so much so we decided to do it ourselves,” said Mary Ann Houston, founder of the Ramona Town Hall Bridge Club.

Every Tuesday this sumer, students as young as age 9 are learning to play bridge in historic Town Hall, 729 Main St. It’s called Youth Bridge Summer Camp, and it starts with pizza at 1 p.m.

The camp is free.

“Under the careful and caring tutelage of Lenore Sjoberg, a group of motivated youngsters gathers at the Town Hall...eager for camaraderie and pizza — and, oh yes, lessons in the fine art of bridge,” noted Houston.

Bridge is more than just a card game, she said. “It’s a cerebral sport. Bridge teaches logic, reasoning, quick thinking, patience, concentration and partnership skills.”

It’s a game for a lifetime and can be enjoyed by young and old, male and female, weak and strong, Houston added. “It crosses all barriers.”

Ramona Town Hall Bridge Club pays for the children’s American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) membership fees. This allows the youngsters to play tournament games and accumulate ACBL Masterpoints.

Once the youngsters complete their lesson in basic principals of bridge, they play a beginners session with their peers.

While the best age to start playing bridge is 11, the youth group has players as young as 9, said Houston, adding players are accepted through high school.

“Youth bridge lessons are cropping up all over the country,” she noted.

Once school starts on Aug. 25, Houston and other Town Hall Bridge Club members hope to continue the youth group.

Anyone interested in learning more about youth bridge may contact Houston at 760-789-1132.

—Maureen Robertson