FREDERICK, Md., July 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County hosted the 3rd Annual Badges for Baseball Camp at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, home of the Frederick Keys. Over 80 youth from Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County attended the all-day camp, which aims to foster leadership and team-building skills, while providing a fun experience for kids to play sports and make new friends.
“Our foundation is committed to equipping local youth with the leadership and team-building skills they need to thrive and build strong, positive connections within their communities,” said Steve Salem, President & CEO of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. “This marks our first year partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County to bring Badges for Baseball to life, and we’re grateful for their support in creating a meaningful and unforgettable experience for these kids.”
The full-day event featured baseball/softball stations and games for Club youth alongside volunteers from local law enforcement agencies, encouraging positive relationships between law enforcement agencies and the youth members of Boys & Girls Clubs. This event was offered as part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County’s 8-week summer camp program, serving over 100 youth from 8am-6pm Monday-Friday.
“We are so thankful for the support of the Ripken Foundation and the Frederick Keys for making this exciting day possible for our members,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County CEO Timika Thrasher. “I often reflect on why we do what we do, and today was a great reminder that it’s all for the kids! We give them access to experiences they might not otherwise have.”
“We are beyond excited to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County to host their Badges for Baseball event,” said Director of Revenue for the Frederick Keys Chris Moore. “This initiative brings together youth and local law enforcement through teamwork, mentorship, and the love of the game. It is a pleasure to support this program by opening our gates and welcoming campers for a fun and memorable day at Nymeo Field!”
Badges for Baseball is a multifaceted mentoring program that teaches important life lessons to at-risk youth. We use sports-themed programs to bring law enforcement officers, youth mentors, and underserved kids ages 9 to 14 together on a level playing field. Law enforcement volunteers and youth partners at local community-based organizations are trained by the Foundation team to use baseball as a hook to get kids engaged. These invested mentors use the youth development curriculum, Badges for Baseball Coaches Manual to infuse life lessons like teamwork, communication, and respect while building positive, healthy relationships. Badges for Baseball is a year-round program so mentors are able to interact and engage with at-risk youth on a weekly basis during critical afterschool hours. Reaching kids at this tenuous time in their development is the key to transformational change in distressed communities throughout the U.S.
The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Programs around the three priority outcome areas of Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Good Character & Citizenship are made possible by the support of the community and funders like CRSF. In collaboration with the Ripken Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club sites run Badges for Baseball, I’m GREAT, and STEM programming during their after school and summer camp programs. Additionally, CRSF installed Ripken STEM Centers, in partnership with Edgewater Federal Solutions, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County in 2022. The STEM Centers aim to close the STEM education gap and apply key lessons such as teamwork, respect, and communication.
About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF)
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) helps to strengthen America’s most underserved and distressed communities by supporting and advocating for children, building Youth Development Parks and STEM Centers, partnering with law enforcement and youth-service agencies, and addressing community needs through its national program initiatives. In 2024, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation impacted over 1.4 million kids from underserved communities. For more information about the foundation and its future initiatives, please visit www.ripkenfoundation.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County
Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County is the premier youth development organization in Frederick County, providing children with the highest quality programs and opportunities for success. The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County serves youth from all different backgrounds and demographics, and no child or family is ever turned away based on an inability to pay membership dues. More than half of the youth served annually receive partial or full scholarship. For more information, visit www.bgcfrederick.org.
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SOURCE The Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County
