Frequently Asked Questions
Learn all about Ripken Camps & Clinics right here. Below are many of the most common questions we get regarding the various events and camps hosted here at our Aberdeen baseball complex. For additional questions, please contact us.
General Camp Questions
What is Cancellation Protection
Ripken Baseball offers Cancellation Protection to allow participants some peace of mind in case plans chance. Due at the time of registration, Cancellation Protection entitles you to a full refund of camp registration fees (minus the $50 non-refundable cost of Cancellation Protection) should you cancel your registration more than 14 days prior to the start of camp.
If you cancel within 14 days of start of camp, we will give you camp credit for all money paid (minus the $50 non-refundable cost of Cancellation Protection). The credit is valid for two years at any Ripken Baseball Camp or Clinic
What happens if I have to cancel and do not have Cancellation Protection?
A $250 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. Any cancellations will result in a loss of this deposit. We're sorry, but since each camp we offer has limited availability, we cannot provide cash refunds within 45 days of the start of camp without Cancellation Protection. Campers can transfer their balance to a different camp for use within one year.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
A $250 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. Any cancellations made will result in the loss of this deposit. There are absolutely no refunds for cancellations within 45 business days of baseball camp.
When is full payment due?
Full payment is due 45 days before the start of the program.
Where can I get medical release form?
Medical Release forms can be found in, and downloaded from, the Camp Forms button on ripkencamps.com. Medical release forms, along with all other necessary forms, are also emailed upon registration with your confirmation.
Click here to download medical forms.
What is the age cut-off date?
All eligible campers must be age appropriate prior to arriving to the 1st day of camp. For example, a Rookie camper must be 6 years old prior to the 1st day of camp; an overnight camper must be 9 years old prior to the 1st day of camp.
We offer a variety of different programs targeting different age groups. Below is a list of programs with corresponding age groups:
- Spring Break Camp: 9-15 year olds
- Rookie Camp: 6-8 year olds
- Ripken Way Camp: 9-12 year olds
- Big League Camp: 9-18 year olds
- Minor League Experience Camp: 9-18 year olds
- Speciality Training Camp: 9-15 year olds
What do baseball campers receive?
Beyond the excellent instruction from a well-trained and highly qualified staff, we also provide each camper with some special gifts to enhance their overall experience.
Each participant receives:
- Two Under Armour Ripken Baseball jerseys
- A Ripken Baseball hat
- Several other surprise gifts
Gifts are distributed in gift bags that are handed out at registration/check-in.
When and where do we check-in for the baseball camps?
Check-in for the overnight baseball campers will be on Sunday from 4pm to 6pm at the overnight facility. Day campers check-in at the Ripken Baseball Academy at 7:45am on Monday morning. Parents need to make sure that all forms are complete and on file before arriving at check-in. All paperwork must be submitted 45 days prior to the start of camp. Day campers need to plan on arriving at 8:45am Tuesday through Friday.
Where are the overnight campers housed?
Ripken Baseball houses overnight baseball campers at West Nottingham Academy. Each baseball camper will stay in a four person room in the newly-renovated, air-conditioned dorms at an historic landmark academic academy. Campers will be able to take advantage of an abundance of activities from TV lounges, a game room complete with billiards and ping-pong table, baseball camp convenience store and gymnasium perfect for an evening of pick-up basketball games. The large cafeteria will offer buffet-style meals with fountain drinks and top notch cooking. This picturesque academy has clean and comfortable accommodations and gives baseball campers the look and feel of a college campus.
What time do campers wake up in the morning and when is their bedtime?
Wake-up calls take place between 6:45 & 7am daily. We like to have campers begin settling down at 10 p.m., with lights out at 11 p.m. each night.
How does the staff handle baseball campers that miss being home?
Homesickness is something that takes place at all overnight baseball camps. Part of the baseball camp experience is for kids to learn how to spend time away from home, so our counselors are trained to do everything they can to comfort the campers and put them at ease. We want the baseball camp experience to be enjoyable for the parents as well as the campers, so we try to avoid having too many "emergency" phone calls home. Counselors will spend as much extra time with individual campers as is necessary to help them overcome their fears of being away from home.
If it becomes necessary for a camper to call home, our staff will make this option available. Many times a counselor will also contact a parent to help better explain the situation and ease the parent's mind. In dire cases counselors are instructed to make their cell phones available to campers.
Can the baseball campers receive mail?
Yes. If you would like for the camper to receive mail during their stay with us, please make sure that it will arrive between Monday through Thursday of the week they will be attending. Mail can be addressed to:
Ripken Baseball Camps
873 Long Drive
Aberdeen, MD 21001
Parents may also sign up for Bunk One to send emails to their child as well as access the daily Newsletter with photos and stories of baseball camp. Please follow the link from the Ripken Camps homepage to register and learn more.
Is there 24-hour supervision for the baseball campers?
Campers are supervised at all times. The counselors stay overnight with the campers in the dorms and there is also a security staff person on site from 11:00pm to 7:00am at the overnight facility.
What do you recommend that the overnight campers bring with them?
Please go to view details under the specific camp
What kinds of activities are offered at night? Can day campers participate?
In the past, overnight campers have enjoyed many different evening activities, including: a trip to an Ironbirds or Orioles game, swimming/beach volleyball, trip to Putt Putt Fun Center (which also has laser tag, batting cages, and a full arcade), the Baltimore Aquarium, the Baltimore Science Center, and a movie/game night at the overnight facility.
This year all Big League Experience baseball campers will be attending M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens for an evening of games on the turf as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of the locker rooms!
For the Big League Experience Camp, all participants will spend a day at an area MLB ballpark - campers will receive on the field instruction, take a behind the scenes tour of the stadium and interact with the MLB players! Overnight campers will also attend an MLB game. (attending the MLB game is subject to change based on availability)
How are the baseball campers transported to outside activities?
We use a reputable local school bus provider to transport baseball campers to overnight activities. The company is licensed and each driver goes through an extensive check.
How are the baseball campers disciplined?
We have a very strict Camper Code of Conduct that we must be signed by the parent and the camper before they are allowed to participate in baseball camp. If a camper acts in an inappropriate manner, we have a three strike policy to ensure that their behavior doesn't negatively affect other campers. Our main goal is to allow every baseball camper the chance to have a truly positive experience that will create many great memories.
The three strike policy is as follows:
- Strike 1 - Exclusion from activity during which the behavior occurred
- Strike 2 - Exclusion from an entire day's activities (phone call to parent)
- Strike 3 - Immediate expulsion from camp
*Staff members reserve the right to remove any camper for insubordinate behavior of any kind. Decisions of the Ripken Baseball staff are final.
Is there a nurse to dispense medicine?
Yes, there will be a certified nurse at the overnight facility at all times when the baseball campers are there. We will also have certified athletic trainers staffed and available to dispense medications at the Ripken Baseball Academy if necessary.
Is there an established emergency plan in place?
Ripken Baseball has worked in conjunction with the National Center for Sports Safety, Union Memorial Hospital and its athletic training staff to develop a detailed emergency plan. All full- and part-time staff will be trained to understand and execute the emergency plan.
Where is the closest hospital? How soon are parents notified if there's a problem?
There are several emergency medical facilities within a short drive of the Ripken Baseball Academy. Parents are notified immediately if a situation arises where one of our athletic trainers feels a baseball camper should be transported to a hospital or emergency room. Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace is 7 miles from the Ripken Baseball Academy and 11 miles from West Nottingham Academy.
What kind of food is available for the overnight baseball campers?
Baseball campers will be offered a variety of food choices for breakfast and dinner at the West Nottingham cafeterias. Lunch is catered on-site at the Ripken Baseball Academy. A camp store offers pizza and snacks on some nights as well. Vegetarian options will be available as well. All food served is peanut oil free. Please contact your account representative with specific questions as it relates to other food allergies.
Is there position-specific instruction?
We offer position-specific training in one of our more advanced baseball camps, Specialty Training. Players will choose their primary and secondary position for training. Campers may choose to specialize in two of the following key positions: pitching, catching, middle infield, corner infield, & outfield.
Our Ripken Way baseball camps are designed to introduce campers to all facets of the game of baseball. Learning all of the skills required to play all of the positions on a baseball field not only helps make for a better all-around player, but also adds to a player's overall understanding of the game. Every player needs to understand proper throwing mechanics, which are discussed in the pitching station. Every player will catch a ground ball at some point; the fundamentals of fielding ground balls are covered in the infield station. Every player needs to be able to catch a fly ball, which is taught in the outfield station. And every player should learn the fundamentals of hitting.
Is there special instruction for catchers?
As noted above, we do offer a Specialty Training Camp, where players can choose their primary and secondary positions for training. Campers will have the opportunity specialize in the following areas: pitching, catching, middle infield, corner infield, & outfield.
In The Ripken Way Camp, while there is not a daily station devoted to catcher specific instruction, we do offer one morning of instruction designed specifically for catchers. Also, we allow baseball campers to catch in the instructional games after the first day and the camp coaches are available to assist in the skill development of those who choose to play that position.
How many campers do you have at a typical baseball camp?
A typical Ripken Baseball Summer Camp has between 200-250 campers per week. Each camper is broken down into small groups of 25 or less based on their age for the morning instructional stations and also placed on a team of 12 or fewer for the instructional games. Our Spring Break baseball camp is designed for 125 day campers which are broken down into the small groups and teams very similar to the summer baseball camps. In both Spring and Summer programs, we maintain a strong camper to staff ration of 8:1.
Do you provide baseball camper evaluations?
All campers will receive a written evaluation from their coach; this is distributed on the last day of baseball camp along with the Exit Packet of drills and tips. All Specialty Training campers will aslo receive video hitting analysis through Dartfish. Each baseball camper will be given his/her own CD-ROM with voiceover from a Ripken certified coach.
How are teams chosen?
Teams initially are chosen based on age.
If our coaching staff feels that a particular player is so advanced that he is in jeopardy of injuring other baseball campers, or is not getting anything out of playing in a particular age group, a player may be moved into an older age group. This is done SOLELY at the discretion of our coaching staff.
Are parents allowed to watch their children?
We encourage parents to let their kids enjoy a true baseball camp experience as much as possible. Please leave the instruction to our trained coaching staff. We welcome your attendance at the afternoon game sessions. During the morning instructional sessions we encourage parents to explore what the Baltimore area has to offer its visitors instead of watching the instruction. At no time are parents permitted on the field or allowed to instruct their children during baseball camp sessions.
How do the parents find out where games are being played?
A schedule of games and team assignments will be handed out during registration/check-in at the beginning of baseball camp. Game schedules will be updated daily on the camp hotline number.
How are injuries handled on the field?
Ripken Baseball works in conjunction with Union Memorial Hospital to provide certified athletic trainers at all of our baseball camp programs. In the event of an injury an athletic trainer will provide an initial evaluation and recommend what course of action needs to be taken. Players may be allowed to resume the activity, may be asked to rest in the shade or may be sent to a local medical facility for x-rays or a more detailed evaluation. Parents are notified immediately if an athletic trainer recommends that a camper be transported off-site for medical care.
Should the baseball campers bring their own equipment?
Ripken Baseball provides all necessary equipment for each player except for a glove and cleats. We will provide bats, helmets, baseballs, and catching gear at all of the instructional stations and games. We strongly discourage campers from bringing their own equipment in hopes of avoiding situations where equipment is lost or stolen. We also strongly recommend that each baseball camper puts their name on everything prior to arriving to camp.
What happens when it rains?
We stay on schedule with the baseball activities as much as possible in times of rain. If the rain is too heavy (or if there is lightning/thunder present), our first goal is to maintain the safety of everyone at the complex. We do not have an indoor facility on our complex so our rain plan contains various options so we can still accommodate all 250 baseball campers. At The Ripken Academy, we are fortunate to have plenty of covered space as well as large turf areas just in case inclement weather impacts on-field instruction. Possibilities include: instruction on the concourse level of Ripken Stadium, multiple covered batting cages and turf practice areas, instructional videos played on the stadium video board, or trips to local satellite indoor facilities.
Are awards given out?
We do not believe in giving out traditional awards such as most valuable camper or most improved camper, because ultimately when that happens someone goes away with hurt feelings. However, we honor one camper per team with the beloved "Gatorade Will to Win Award." The Gatorage Will to Win Award is presented to campers that display a strong passion for the game, hustle, hard word, leadership, teamwork, and a competitive spirit. We also hold many contests throughout the week and provide prizes for those campers who win the contests.
What is the staff-to-camper ratio?
The overall staff-to-camper ratio is 1/6. That includes all of the baseball camp coaches (1/8 ratio), counselors (1/12 ratio) and the Ripken Baseball staff.
How are the coaches and counselors selected?
All of the coaching and counseling staff goes through an interview process to ensure that they are qualified and that they meet our standards. We also do a complete background check on all staff that work at the camps.
All instructors go through a rigorous certification program that includes both classroom and on-field testing with Cal and Bill Ripken. It is extremely important to us that every coach delivers the most positive and unique coaching experience to each camper. Please contact your account representative for a detailed list of MLB instructors during each Big League Camp week.
Travel & Accommodations Questions
How do I get to Ripken Stadium & Youth Academy?
Click here for driving directions to Ripken Stadium and Youth Academy
Are there area hotels that Ripken Baseball partners with?
Please mention Ripken Baseball when you make your reservations for a discount.
Click Here for area hotels
Is there transportation to baseball camp?
Ripken Baseball offers daily baseball camp pick-up and drop-off at Roland Park Elementary School. For exact weeks and details, please call us at 888.RIPKEN1.
Ripken Baseball will also provide airport pick-up and drop-off for a $50 fee. Please call us at 888.RIPKEN1 to make arrangements.
Coaching Clinics
Will Cal Ripken be there?
Yes. All Ripken Coaching Clinics are organized and hosted by Cal and Bill Ripken. John Habyan handles the Pitching portion of the day.
Where are the coaching clinics held?
Ripken Baseball typically holds 2-3 coaching clinics during the months of January, February and March. Please check back this fall for the 2010 Ripken Coaching Clinic locations.
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