Help with organizing scolastic event in the Poconos (Pa)

Chess Clubs
1

I have read the various materials that USCF provides for setting up a small scolastic (50-100 entrants) tournament. It all seems like such a daunting task. I am still amazed with how smoothly the few tournaments I have gone to have run.

There are really no tournaments for kids (or for adults for that matter) here in the Poconos. The question I am asking is…

Is there a flesh and blood resource to talk to/help with organizing a tournament? I would be able to do the leg work and probably even get space for the tournament in the high school where I work. My problem is I would like to do it with someone who has previous experience with such tournaments? Is there anyone out there who has some advice for me?

Thanks in advance.

2

You might want to check out:
pscfchess.org/

The club listings (by county) might help you find some active groups close to you who could be of help.

In addition, we could probably give you contacts from schools in your area which send teams to the state scholastic championship.

3

Thanks for the advice Tom.

I (Matt Gruenloh, Pocono Mountain West) already take kids to the state tournament in Carlisle. Larry Bias (Pocono Mountain East) and I have discussed trying to get tournaments together for the kids on a more regular basis. Neither of us has ever run a tournament though. It would be nice to do it with some flesh & blood help the first time around. You are doing a great job in the western part of the state and Dan Heisman handles the Philadelpia area well. There seems to be a void in NE Pennsylvania. Hazelton has some events and Allentown has regular events, but there is nothing in the Stroudsburg to Scranton area. I am just looking for help to possibly fill that void.

Thanks again for the advice.