Milton Hershey School Hosts Cal Ripken Foundation Camp

Milton Hershey School and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation recently teamed up to offer a three-day summer camp to at-risk children.

Forty boys and girls from the Baltimore area began their baseball-focused adventure on Tuesday, June 27. Upon arrival, they received all the equipment necessary for three days on baseball diamonds – hats, gloves, pants, backpacks, and shirts. MHS coaches worked alongside Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation staff to teach the young athletes important baseball skills, including the value of team building.

“You can definitely see it is a whole community making it happen,” said Stephanie Green, Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation’s senior director of development.

The special visitors also had the opportunity to enjoy recreational opportunities on or near the MHS campus. They spent an afternoon at the school’s outdoor pool and traveled to Hersheypark and a Harrisburg Senators game.

Green said the foundation selected the students from Baltimore-area programs that serve at-risk students, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Partnering with MHS was a natural fit because the two organizations have similar missions. Milton Hershey School nurtures and educates children in social and financial need to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

“Getting them out in a different environment is very good for their development,” Green said.

Courtney Stephens, assistant director of programs for the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, said she was impressed with the MHS athletic facilities.

“We really appreciate the opportunity to create new partnerships. MHS has been so great to us,” Stephens said.

MHS Admissions Counselor Rylan Good said partnering with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation was a good match for the school. The camp helped students and gave MHS an opportunity to showcase its athletics program.  MHS offers varsity and JV teams for 13 sports, with more than 600 students participating annually. MHS programs have produced many championship seasons ending with state and district titles.

The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation camp is one of several special athletics opportunities MHS hosted this year. This spring, the school welcomed the Mr. PA Football Elite College Showcase and a Team and Technique wrestling camp.