We have sad news for sports fans. Please read this letter from Galen Graf, Camp Director and Head Coach at Field of Dreams Baseball Camp for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing:
(TL;DR (too long, didn’t read) summary: After 26 years of operation, the Field of Dreams Baseball Camp for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing is being forced to close due to loss of access to their facilities and inability to secure an alternative location. If you can help them somehow, please contact Galen.)
To: All members and volunteers of the Field of Dreams Baseball Camp Family
I am truly saddened to bring forth this disappointing news regarding the discontinuation of the Field of Dreams Baseball Camp for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community. During recent planning for the upcoming 27th Annual Field of Dreams Baseball Camp (scheduled for the same weekend every year), we received notification that we would no longer be allowed to use the field and facilities for our upcoming annual camp dates. It was stated that the use of the field/facilities would be used for other program priorities not associated with the camp. Upon being presented with this unexpected turn of events, efforts were immediately made towards pursuing the use of other potential facilities. Unfortunately, these efforts met with no successful results. Up until these developments, we had full intentions of continuing to present this much needed camp again this year.
Thus, it is with a heavy heart, and a deep sense of disappointment, that the decision to close down the Sertoma Field of Dreams Baseball Camp for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing must be made. This comes after 26 years of providing this unique opportunity to our treasured community, parents and youngsters.
From the very beginning, the mission statement for this camp was structured to allow a unique “open-door” opportunity for our parents and youngsters of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to experience and realize the life treasures of hope, happiness, self-fulfillment and self-pride. The annual camp was used as a successful vehicle to accomplish these goals. The interaction of our camps, accompanied by the talented and professional instruction of our compassionate and dedicated staff, hopefully helped to provide these important “gifts” not only during the camp times, but for a lifetime as well. On behalf of all of the Sertoma Field of Dreams Baseball Camp Family, we sincerely hope that we accomplished these goals. Being part at all of the camp years, I can attest to the fact that every effort was made to accomplish this mission. That is due to the strength of character and integrity of commitment on the part of all of our camp family staff.
I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with all of you throughout these years. I hope you are proud of what you have accomplished and continue to know that, in my heart, and in the hearts of so many families of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, you will always be a most valued member of the Field of Dreams Baseball Camp Family. Thank you.
Galen Graf
Camp Director/Head Coach
Field of Dreams Baseball Camp for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
720-334-6527
