American Go E-Journal

With the deadline for early registration coming up on May 28, kids across the country are signing up for the AGA summer go camp.  “To me this is not a vacation: this is more like a pilgrimage that I need to take, not just for fun or to improve my skills, but as a young go player who wishes to be a part of the go community as much as possible,” writes Marcus Gould. The AGF is committed to helping youth who want to go but can’t afford it, and is holding a fund raising drive to support the camp.  Youth must write an essay if they want a scholarship, and their passion is evident from their submissions. “I want to go to the AGA Go Camp in order to advance my own game, and to meet other people who love go as much as I do.  Lately, I haven’t had too many chances to play go in real life, as opposed to online.  I see this as an awesome opportunity to play other players my level in real life,” writes David Gillule.  “My plane ticket is all the way from Salt Lake City, and is more expensive than the camp itself; it’s my summer job that’ll be paying this off,” writes Benson Merrill. The camp will take place the week before the Go Congress from July 28 to August 4 and will be held at the same location, the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina.  AGF needs based scholarships are  available for players who can’t afford the full cost, and youth who played in the USYGC are eligible for a $400 scholarship to camp.  More details on AGF scholarships can be found here.  Sign up before May 28 and save $50 off the price of camp.  Details are on the camp website. -Paul Barchilon, E-J Youth Editor. Photo: Kids take a break from studying to bury one of their counselors in pillows, photo by Amanda Miller (who is at the bottom of the pillow pile) from the 2010 Go Camp.