Jump Start Youth Bridge

Young players are necessary for the future of our game. This, post-covid, is our moment in time to make a push to introduce bridge to schools that are looking for mind sports that offer social and academic benefits. Studies conducted by Dr. Christopher Shaw have shown significant academic growth on standardized tests for students involved in bridge compared to their counterparts.

Youth bridge efforts to date have consisted primarily of bridge players and teachers reaching out to their local schools, hoping to connect with a teacher or administrator and convince them to create a bridge club or course at their school. While many have been successful, it is tough to reach the right people unless you have a personal connection.

Atlanta Junior Bridge intends to try a different approach. Patty Tucker has created a curriculum, Jump Start Youth Bridge, and a free program is in place by which school teachers/administrators can request Patty come to their school and;

This program was used in Kentucky in 2021 and the school as of September 2022 has 60 children enrolled in bridge club.

Atlanta Junior Bridge plans to present and display this program at three major school conferences over the next year to raise awareness and further this program. We have chosen these three conferences: National Association for Gifted Children November 2023, National Association of Independent Schools February 2024 and International Society for Technology in Education June 2023.

Even though the American Contract Bridge League and the ACBL Educational Foundation have offered some help and Patty is donating her time, this is an expensive endeavor. It is estimated that the ISTE conference alone will cost over $12,000. Please help. If you need further information, please feel free to email Patty.