August 31, 2024 | By: Jennifer Stitt in For Love of the Game
That breeze in the air means that summer is soon coming to a close, and that we’re winding down another amazing year of Field of Dreams Baseball Camp.
This was our 14th year of baseball camp, which is hard to believe! It means that children who were born when we started are now old enough to be a CIT at the camp (and some are!)
This year we were fortunate to have some incredible highlights including:
- Over 500 campers and 800 Registrations
- 55 staff across our 5 camp locations
- Our two separate wiffle ball tournaments had 250 campers (they are always our most popular camp weeks)
- An incredible visit with Canadian baseball commentator (and legend) Hazel Mae, along with a return visit from her husband, former MLB player Kevin Barker
- More smiles than we could count!
Someone asked me recently if the job has gotten old; if it feels like I’m running the same program year after year after year. I told them “not for a moment.”
The smiles that I see on your children’s faces as they fall in love with the game just like I did at their age – there’s truly nothing better. But for me, the real magic of Field of Dreams goes far beyond our campers simply falling in love with baseball.
As a teacher, my not-so-secret mission is to use baseball as a vehicle to help teach our campers transferable skills that will serve them well not only throughout the school year, but well into adulthood. The determination they show when learning a new skill, the teamwork that they exhibit when playing in the field together, and the friendship bonds that they form are as (if not more) important than how well they swing a bat.
That, to me, is the real magic of Field of Dreams, and so many of you have told me that’s the magic that you see as well. Your kids aren’t just having an incredible time at camp; they’re building skills and making memories that last them well into the school year.
To our our incredible staff, and especially our energetic and enthusiastic campers – thank you! Running Field of Dreams has always been our dream, and each one of you plays an integral part in making that dream a reality. We couldn’t do it without you! As you navigate your way through the school year, we dare you – try something new. Take a chance on something, or better yet, take a chance on yourself. Rise to the challenge that you’re scared to meet, and astound yourself with what you can accomplish. You never know what you’re capable of until you try.
To our devoted parents who make this all possible, thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your children, many of you summer after summer and in our clinics throughout the year. Thank you for telling your friends, and encouraging others to come out and join our team. Thank you for all of the continued support that you’ve shown us – we feel that love, and we are grateful.
If your child wants to keep playing throughout the school year, we would love to keep coaching and training them! We run several clinics throughout the year, along with PA Day Wiffle Ball Tournaments and mini camps over the December and March school breaks. Registration is already filling up quickly for these programs. Click here to learn more about our offerings for this off-season.
We’re also expanding our service offerings! This year we introduced our L’il Ballers program for all the younger siblings that have been watching wide-eyed, and want to take their first swings at the bat.
We also might have a huge announcement on the horizon for this Winter, so definitely stay tuned.
Lastly, if you really love what we do, we would love it if you left us a positive Google Review. Those reviews are the best way to say thank you to a small business, and it helps other families find us just like you did.
On behalf of myself, Nolan, and our own L’il Baller, Lyle, thank you again for another amazing Summer!
Jennifer Stitt
Owner
Field of Dreams Baseball Camp