Chess Adventure Summer Camp Turns Six
by Chuck Unruh, Chess Adventure Vice President
There is certainly no "I" in Team Chess Adventure. Julie Luscomb, President of Chess Adventure, is the founder of the now six year young Chess Summer Camp and coordinated the week long activities. Camp VI was hosted by Rejoice Christian Schools in Owasso during the week of July 11 thru July 16th.
Chess Camp VI reached a participation goal with a record 99 junior campers. From instructors to food handlers, past experience helped the camp achieve a week of chess fun and education. Chess juniors Kenny Lin and Steve Gehly, former campers graduated to teach their own classes. OSCO Premier player Grant Nunn also had his first chess teaching assignment before college this fall. Also new to camp, experienced Bartlesville chess teachers Lee McCullough and Teri Thomas brought their knowledge of scholastic instruction to their classes. When it comes to tried and true volunteer help, John Cope, Ed Boyle and Charles Unruh were awarded their Five Year of Outstanding Service plagues.
Joe Deal, long term Chess Adventure Treasurer, was the Camp's chief photographer and captured the historic chess event. Laura Lin is the Camp Historian besides overseeing lunch and the kitchen during Camp. She is already busy scrapping together the new 2011 history book of photos and mementos with help from Pam Bedenbaugh's Camp photo gallery. The old Chess Adventure History scrapbook was overflowing with five spectacular years of notes, photos and messages.
Guest speakers were a big hit during the lunch hour. David Nichols, former OSCO President, spoke from his experience in National Competition as the coach of the 4th grade Ida Freeman Chess Team . David mentioned plans for a similar Chess Camp in the Oklahoma City area. John Cope, multiple year Oklahoma Denker Champion, fired up his young audience with his Denker National tournament experience. At least 18 juniors in the advanced class have a new chess goal. Our honored repeat guest speaker, Judson Temple shared his wisdom and experience in an over view of tournament chess as a life-long pursuit. On Friday, Postal GM Rev. Ed Boyle ended the week with a review of some very high quality postal games. Rev. Ed has returned to over the board chess smokin' hot with a 4-0-0 score in the recent Blue Fish Action Swiss.
Things just seem to get done at Camp. Mrs. Santos made sure 100 some odd junior campers were accounted for at all times. The security task is one of the lesser noticed but of extreme importance in a successful camp. Many parents and juniors alike pitched in when moving tables, cleaning rooms or helping with the various activities.
Oklahoma Chess looks forward to next year and possibly two Summer Chess Camps. Once again, a thank you to all of the volunteers who made Chess Adventure Summer Camp VI a true adventure in junior chess!