The Santa Maria branch of American Association of University Women/s upcoming luncheon and bridge party on Nov. 30 is a chance for locals to come together in the name of fun and friendly competition.

But it serves a larger purpose as well.

All of the money raised at the event will help send one area girl to Tech Trek, a math and science camp for seventh-grade girls throughout California, this summer at Fresno State University.

"For many of the girls, this is their first time away from home," said Jean Horn, a member of Santa Maria AAUW since 1997.

A unique opportunity for a selected group of girls statewide, Tech Trek furthers the mission of AAUW, which is to promote educational opportunities among women and girls.

"This is one of our means of doing that," Horn said.

About 500 girls from around the state participated in Tech Trek this past summer.

The Santa Maria chapter gave scholarships for the program to two girls. Three girls were sent the summer before last.

"I don/t know what we/ll do this year," Horn said, referring to the number of scholarships that will be available.

Each Tech Trek scholarship is ,700.

The hope is that the women will raise enough money for at least one scholarship during the upcoming event, but Horn said they might have to find other ways to earn enough money to cover the cost.

Potential candidates for this year/s camp will be nominated by their math and science teachers, and then interviewed by local AAUW representatives, who will then make their selection.

Horn said counselors at area schools will be notified about the program in January, and the selection will be made by March.

Tech Trek is a program near and dear to the Santa Maria chapter, and chapters statewide, Horn noted.

AAUW-California established the program in 1998, and various members continue to participate in several ways.

Along with interviewing and selecting the girls, members also teach some of the camp/s math and science classes, in coordination with junior high teachers and guest instructors with careers in math and science fields.

Other AAUW members serve as counselors, nurses and assistants.

Recreational activities, leadership activities, and math and science classes with hands-on experiments are all part of the several days of fun.

Horn added that the campers also put together a performance of what they have learned, to present to their parents on the last day.

Camps are also held each summer at other colleges, including Stanford University, Whittier College and University of California at San Diego.

The event will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Minerva Club, 137 W. Boone.

A fee of ,5 buys lunch and playing time at the event. It is requested that those wanting to stay and play Bridge, Hand and Foot, or another game, form a foursome of players prior to the event. The reservation deadline for the game party is Friday. To reserve a table, phone Jean Horn at 929-1352.

To make a donation to AAUW and Tech Trek, or for more information about the event and the group, phone Kelly White at 925-2636.

* Staff Writer Britt Fairchild can be reached at 739-2220 or by e-mail at bfairchild@pulitzer.net.

Nov. 21, 2004