Bridge at Hidden Valley
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At a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Become a better bridge player by immersing yourself completely in the game, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts.
- Enjoy the nature and beauty of sunny, oak-studded Carmel Valley with classes and lodgings at Hidden Valley Institute.
- Master bidding and perfect play-of-the-hand techniques in interactive classes with expert teachers. Bridge topics and levels vary by date.
General Notes
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
- 2024
- 2025
- Sep 29 - Oct 04
- Oct 13 - Oct 18
- Nov 17 - Nov 22
- 2024
- 2025
- Sep 29 - Oct 04
- Oct 13 - Oct 18
- Nov 17 - Nov 22
Activity note: Check-in from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon: Program Registration: 2:00-5:00 p.m. When you arrive at Hidden Valley’s campus, come over to the main office next to the parking lot to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. At 5:00 p.m., we’ll meet our fellow participants for a wine and cheese reception in the Fireside Room and Dining Room. We’ll enjoy some California wines and/or juices and savor cheese and crackers before dinner.
Dinner: In the dining room.
Evening: Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, locally sourced meals, and evening entertainment. Every day before breakfast, there will be a popular class of long, slow stretching and breathing in the dance studio. Toast and juice will be available in the dining room before class. This is not an aerobics class and there is no need for special clothing or shoes and no need for a shower afterwards. Food selections will be healthily prepared with local ingredients. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Public bus service will be available across from the campus driveway. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity note: Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Minimal walking, flat terrain.
Breakfast: In the dining room.
Morning: After breakfast, in our classroom, our master bridge instructor will lead a bridge class focusing on responding to 1NT including Stayman and Jacoby transfers. We will participate in an interactive discussion of the morning’s topic, solidify our mastery with exercises, then play deals to reinforce the concepts.
Lunch: In the dining room.
Afternoon: Our afternoon lesson will focus on the responder’s rebid including New Minor Forcing. Fun and challenging deals will follow! Time before dinner is free to relax and enjoy the atmosphere at Hidden Valley’s campus. You might like to take a walk in the valley to the local park and village, with its historical center, local art galleries, and wine tasting rooms.
Dinner: In the dining room.
Evening: A talented pianist, teaching from the keyboard, will introduce us to the music, composers, and history of American Ragtime. Ragtime emerged in African-American communities like St. Louis in the late 19th century and became popular nationally into the early 20th century thanks to the works of great ragtime composers, including Scott Joplin and his work “Maple Leaf Rag”.
Activity note: Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Getting on/off a bus, driving about 30 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 2 miles leisurely with stops; those who prefer not to walk may remain near parking areas and still view the area. Dress in layers for the weather.
Breakfast: In the dining room.
Morning: We’ll board the bus for a field trip to a state park, perhaps Point Lobos State Natural Preserve, along the coast with our local expert. Upon arrival, we will enjoy the breath-taking beauty of the famous coast and hear stories connecting us with the nature, history, culture, and peoples of the area. Our expert will also lead nature walks as we enjoy the ocean panorama.
Lunch: In the dining room.
Afternoon: Today's bridge class will focus on suit play techniques. In the second half of the class, we will play supervised hands of cards that have been set up by the instructor to reflect the lesson. Time before dinner is free to see and do what interests you most.
Dinner: In the dining room.
Evening: We’ll gather with our fellow bridge enthusiasts for an evening of supervised free play. Our instructor will be available for advice and questions that come up.
Activity note: Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Minimal walking, flat terrain.
Breakfast: In the dining room.
Morning: In today's bridge class, we will focus on defense in no trump contracts, including leads, signals and strategy. In the second half of the class, we will play supervised hands of cards that have been set up by the instructor to reflect the morning lesson.
Lunch: In the dining room.
Afternoon: The afternoon lesson will focus on defense in suit contracts including leads, signals and strategy. Fun and challenging deals follow! Before dinner, a local winemaker or vineyardist will join us for an introductory class to learn about local wines, the process that goes into producing them, and ultimately experience them through a tasting. Carmel Valley is perhaps the most distinct of the seven appellations comprising Monterey County’s diverse wineries.
Dinner: In the dining room.
Evening: We’ll gather with our fellow bridge enthusiasts for an evening of supervised free play. Our instructor will be available for advice and questions that come up.
Activity note: Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Minimal walking, flat terrain. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast: In the dining room.
Morning: In today's bridge class, we will focus on suit establishment – turn a five card suit into extra tricks. In the second half of the class, we will play supervised hands of cards that have been set up by the instructor to reflect the morning lesson.
Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are several markets, cafes, and restaurants within walking distance in Carmel Valley Village as well as many restaurants offering a wide variety of local cuisine in Carmel and Monterey.
Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to your booklet or the office for Free Time opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Public bus service is available across from the campus driveway.
Dinner: In the dining room.
Evening: We’ll gather with our fellow bridge enthusiasts for an evening of supervised free play. Our instructor will be available for advise and questions that come up. Prepare for check-out and departure following our closing session in the morning.
Activity note: Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Minimal walking, flat terrain. Check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast: Light offerings before brunch.
Morning: We’ll have a final morning of bridge and review everything we have mastered during the week. With our newly learned knowledge, we’ll return home bridge stars!
Brunch: In the dining room. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!