When kids show up to a camp, they’re expecting baseball and softball. They’re expecting drills, instruction, maybe a few laughs, and hopefully a great day outside. But what they really remember—what stays with them long after the last swing—is the people who poured into them. That’s why this year’s Kids Baseball & Softball Camp at Peterson Park in Lakeland is set to be special.

Because this camp isn’t just bringing coaches and volunteers to the field…

It’s bringing mentors with real journeys, real experience, and real impact—people who understand what it takes to succeed in sports, and more importantly, what it takes to succeed in life.

REGISTER YOUR CHILD

VENDOR REGISTRATION

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The Power of Mentorship: Why This Matters

Mentorship is the difference between a kid who simply plays the game… and a kid who begins to believe in themselves.

It’s the moment a young athlete hears:

• “You belong here.”
• “You can do this.”
• “You’re capable of more.”
• “Keep going—even when it’s hard.”

In Polk County, that kind of encouragement can change everything.

Because the lessons learned through sports—confidence, discipline, teamwork, resilience, emotional control, leadership—don’t stay on the field. They show up in the classroom. At home. In friendships. And in the choices kids make when no one is watching.

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Meet the Mentors Making This Camp Bigger Than Sports

This year’s camp will be supported by an outstanding group of mentors and community leaders who believe deeply in the mission and are committed to giving back:

✅ Ronnie Richardson
✅ Chris Sale
✅ Jalen Hairston
✅ Kyle Ryan
✅ Jose Pena
✅ Marcus Judd
✅ Flo Fit
✅ Andrew Davino
✅ Mallex Smith

These are individuals who have built careers through hard work, faced adversity, overcome challenges, and learned what it means to stay locked in when life gets difficult.

And now—they’re choosing to bring that wisdom directly to the kids of Polk County.

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Why Their Impact Will Be Immediate

Having mentors of this caliber in attendance gives kids something that can’t be measured in reps or stats:

1) Real-Life Examples

Kids don’t just hear about success—they see it standing right in front of them.

2) Belief Becomes Real

When a young athlete meets someone who has achieved at a high level, something changes:
“If they came from somewhere… maybe I can too.”

3) Lessons That Go Beyond Baseball

They’ll walk away learning:

• How to respond to failure
• How to lead with confidence
• How to compete with character
• How to stay disciplined
• How to respect the process

These are life skills that last far beyond sports.

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A Camp That Builds the Whole Athlete—and the Whole Person

This camp is about more than developing better players. It’s about developing stronger young people.

The kind of youth who:

• show up on time
• communicate with confidence
• listen, learn, and lead
• respond to challenges with maturity
• hold themselves to a higher standard

That is how communities grow.
That is how Polk County wins—not just in sports, but in life.

 

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One Day Can Spark a Lifetime of Growth

For many kids, this camp will be their first time meeting a mentor who truly sees them, challenges them, and encourages them. For others, it will be the moment they realize:

“I can do more. I can become more.”

And that is exactly why this camp matters. Because when mentorship meets opportunity—potential takes shape.

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Camp Details

📅 February 7
📍 Peterson Park — Lakeland
👦👧 Boys & Girls Ages 5–12

We can’t wait to welcome our athletes, families, mentors, and the entire community to a day built on growth, connection, and purpose.

Polk County, this is for the kids. Let’s build the future together.