For Release: Aug. 18, 2008
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
McDonnell Sends Virginia Youth to Cal Ripken Camp
Sixty-Two Children from Across Virginia Depart for ‘Badges for Baseball’
RICHMOND – Attorney General Bob McDonnell sent 62 youth from across Virginia to the Cal Ripken Academy Camp in Maryland, as part of his Office’s work with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation’s “Badges for Baseball” mentoring program that partners law enforcement with at-risk youth.
Last year, Virginia became the first state in the nation to implement the year-long program, which teaches children about baseball, teamwork, character, integrity and leadership. “Badges for Baseball” was created by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, as a community crime prevention initiative. Partly funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, the program reaches out to those youth who would otherwise be subjected to negative influences in their communities. Attorney General Bob McDonnell’s Office partnered with the Ripken Foundation to offer the nation’s first statewide “Badges for Baseball” program.
This morning, participants met at the Metro Richmond Boys & Girls Clubs Central Unit to board buses for the camp, located on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Aberdeen, Md.
The youth are from the metro Richmond area (including Petersburg), the greater Hampton Roads area (including the Peninsula and Norfolk), the Northern Neck, and Danville.
“This is the kind of proactive, community-building program that we need to continue to support in Virginia,” Attorney General McDonnell said. “Thanks to Cal and Bill Ripken and their staff, this week at camp will serve as the experience of a lifetime for these young people. As they train in baseball and other sports, they will also learn the value of character, integrity, sportsmanship and leadership throughout their lives. Additionally, the young people in the program are able to see law enforcement officials in a new and different light – as coaches, mentors and positive role models in their lives.”
According to Cal Ripken, Jr., who was unable to attend today’s send-off, “The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is proud to continue to partner with Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, law enforcement agencies, and youth-serving organizations across the Commonwealth to be able to impact the lives of so many deserving children.”
McDonnell added, “Our office has highlighted community-based programs aimed at crime prevention and positive youth development, such as ‘Badges for Baseball,’ the Gang Reduction & Intervention Program (G.R.I.P.), the Boys & Girls Clubs Anti-Gang Initiative, Shakespeare Festival/LA’s Will Power to Youth, Class Action, and other innovative initiatives. When young people take advantage of opportunities like these, our entire Commonwealth benefits.”
More about “Badges for Baseball”
Virginia is the national model for the “Badges for Baseball” program. Two years ago representatives of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation met with Department of Justice officials to discuss ways to bring programs run by the Foundation to at-risk youth. After that meeting, the “Badges for Baseball” program was created. Thanks to Virginia’s proven track-record of innovation with public safety programs, and its success with prevention and intervention initiatives, the Foundation identified the Commonwealth as the best state in which to inaugurate “Badges for Baseball” as a statewide initiative. Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell was asked to take the lead and coordinate the law enforcement partners. The Office of the Attorney General worked with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and rolled out the program in 2007.
Following a tremendous first year, the program has returned to Virginia for another season. Since Virginia’s first successful year, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in partnership with the legislature, launched “Badges for Baseball” in their respective states. The Attorneys General of North Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Arkansas, Maryland, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Texas, and Connecticut are also working to establish the program. In addition to these statewide programs, “Badges for Baseball” is being provided in communities across America, at a total of 134 sites nationwide.
The program incorporates the Healthy Choices, Healthy Children curriculum developed from the Ripken philosophy. Through baseball, softball, and “Quickball,” children learn about character, leadership, integrity, smart choices, and healthy living. This year, Boys & Girls Clubs across Virginia, as well as two police departments and two sheriff’s offices, were awarded grants to run the “Badges for Baseball”program, with 1,800 children taking part at 16 sites. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice, provided more than $198,693 in funding, plus equipment and Healthy Choices, Healthy Children program materials.
The organizations participating in the second year of “Badges for Baseball” in Virginia are:
Law enforcement agencies providing coaches and mentors are:
About the Ripken Academy Camp
Sixty-two children from Virginia are participating in this summer’s camp. All costs are covered by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. Children were chosen for participation based on their interest in the program and personal achievements at their respective program sites. They will stay at the Ripken Academy on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Aberdeen, Maryland, and spend the week playing baseball and continuing to learn from the Healthy Choices, Healthy Children curriculum.
About the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (from its Web site)
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2001 by members of the Ripken family in memory of their patriarch Cal, Sr. The Foundation works to create baseball and softball programs and facilities that positively impact disadvantaged youth by combining the principles represented by the Ripken name, the power of Cal, Jr. as a modern day hero and role model, and the universal appeal of baseball. It strives to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences that use the magic of the big leagues to inspire kids to be the best that they can be – to dream a dream that someday they can achieve great things.
However, the challenge is sizable. Today, more than 7 million American kids struggle with poverty, obesity, poor quality of education, the lack of adult role models, or the persistent presence of drugs and violence. Through baseball and softball, the Foundation works with kids in need, to instill leadership qualities, a strong work ethic, sportsmanship, and healthy habits.
