About 200 children from underserved communities across the country converged this week in Aberdeen for an all-expense-paid baseball summer camp.The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation hosted the camp as part of its “Badges for Baseball” program, in which children learn about baseball and life skills from a special group of mentors.Children were given a warm welcome at Cal Ripken Sr.’s Yard, the host stadium of the camp.”It felt good because I knew that everybody saw me for who I was,” said Isabella Santos, a fifth-grade student from Connecticut participating in the camp.”We’ll have fun, we’re going to play some baseball. We’re going to have a great time here this week,” said Dominic Polanco, a eighth-grade student from Florida participating in the camp.Isabella and Dominic are among the children from 23 states taking part in the trip through Friday thanks to the foundation.”This is (often) the first time they are flying or leaving their homes,” said Vanessa Lyon, the foundation’s senior vice president of programs. “(It’s) a really special experience that we focus on creating these experiences for mentors and for youth to create relationships that last forever.”Most of the mentors are members law enforcement, like Baltimore County police Officer Erika Dingle, who is excited to connect with children and teach them about careers in law enforcement.”We want to encourage them to make positive decisions. We want to encourage them to get out here and reach for the stars, if you will,” Dingle told 11 News. Of course, there is plenty of playing baseball, running the bases and perfecting techniques with experienced coaches by campers’ sides.”My favorite things that I’ve learned is how to bat and how to catch,” Isabella said. Catching balls on the field and learning life skills off the field equals a summer well spent. For more information on the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and all of its programs, visit the following website.
ABERDEEN, Md. —
About 200 children from underserved communities across the country converged this week in Aberdeen for an all-expense-paid baseball summer camp.
The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation hosted the camp as part of its “Badges for Baseball” program, in which children learn about baseball and life skills from a special group of mentors.
Children were given a warm welcome at Cal Ripken Sr.’s Yard, the host stadium of the camp.
“It felt good because I knew that everybody saw me for who I was,” said Isabella Santos, a fifth-grade student from Connecticut participating in the camp.
“We’ll have fun, we’re going to play some baseball. We’re going to have a great time here this week,” said Dominic Polanco, a eighth-grade student from Florida participating in the camp.
Isabella and Dominic are among the children from 23 states taking part in the trip through Friday thanks to the foundation.
“This is (often) the first time they are flying or leaving their homes,” said Vanessa Lyon, the foundation’s senior vice president of programs. “(It’s) a really special experience that we focus on creating these experiences for mentors and for youth to create relationships that last forever.”
Most of the mentors are members law enforcement, like Baltimore County police Officer Erika Dingle, who is excited to connect with children and teach them about careers in law enforcement.
“We want to encourage them to make positive decisions. We want to encourage them to get out here and reach for the stars, if you will,” Dingle told 11 News.
Of course, there is plenty of playing baseball, running the bases and perfecting techniques with experienced coaches by campers’ sides.
“My favorite things that I’ve learned is how to bat and how to catch,” Isabella said.
Catching balls on the field and learning life skills off the field equals a summer well spent.
For more information on the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and all of its programs, visit the following website.