Kids will come to camp who have never played ball before and others may someday play at Great American Ball Park. Our job is to create a training environment that meets the baseball and softball needs of every athlete who wants our help. We owe all players the camp experience of a lifetime and that's what they will get.
REDS BASEBALL & SOFTBALL CAMPS
presented by UnitedHealthcare
A word from the Reds Camp Executive Director…
“We head into our 10th Reds Camp season with high confidence that health conditions will permit a return to near-normal camp operations. We expect the 2021 Red Camp Season will be terrific. However, if the health environment demands that alterations be made for the purpose of protecting your kids, we will do that. As we did in 2020, we will take whatever steps are necessary to keep your kids and our staff safe. If changes are made, we will keep you informed.”
-Tim Rappé
"Because of COVID, one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make as a parent was deciding to send my son to Reds Camp in 2020. My wife and I decided to put our trust in you guys and boy did you deliver. Not only did you keep the kids safe, but the camp was absolutely outstanding. Thank you and GO REDS!”
-Mike and Joanna H. (Mason Camp)
Subject to change if required by the Department of Health or MLB.
2021 CAMP DATES
May 31-June 4
Cincinnati
St. Xavier HS600 W North Bend Road
Cincinnati OH
45224
Harrison
Harrison HS9860 West Road
Harrison OH
45030
June 14-18
Northern Kentucky
Ryle HS10379 US Highway 42
Union KY
41091
Milford
Milford HS1 Eagles Way
Milford OH
45150
June 21-25
Centerville
Centerville HS500 E Franklin Street
Centerville OH
45459
Cincinnati
Summit Country Day Sports Complex5580 Ehrling Road
Cincinnati OH
45227
July 5-9
Mason
Mason HS6100 Mason-Montgomery Road
Mason OH
45040
Cincinnati
Reds Youth Academy2026 E Seymour Ave
Cincinnati OH
45237
July 12-16
Lexington
Lexington Christian Academy450 W Reynolds Road
Lexington, KY
40503
Cincinnati
Reds Youth Academy2026 E Seymour Ave
Cincinnati OH
45237
July 26-30
Louisville
Kentucky Country Day School4100 Springdale Road
Louisville KY
40241
Indianapolis
Decatur Central High School5351 Kentucky, Ave
Indianapolis, IN
46221
August 9-13
Columbus
Hilliard Bradley HS2800 Walker Road
Hilliard OH
43026
Batavia
Batavia Community Center1535 Clough Pike
Batavia OH
45103
CAMP PHILOSOPHY
Camp Culture
The Curriculum
The curriculum is adjusted every day to meet the diverse and changing needs of kids at camp. The most important thing to understand about the Reds Baseball and Softball Camps is that it doesn't matter if your athlete is six and picking up a bat for the first time or 14 and preparing to play high school baseball. This camp will significantly improve each player's ability to play the game. The camper would have to sleepwalk through the week to NOT be a better ballplayer on Friday than he or she was on Monday.
Safety, Safety, Safety
Let's get this big question answered right away. How can we have a camp with six year-olds and 14 year-olds? Look at it this way. A K-8 school does not have second graders and eighth graders in P.E. or math class together. They may pass in the hallways, take the same bus and be in the same yearbook but they are not in class together. Get the picture? At a Reds Camp, they will not be in "class" together either.
That being said, not all players of the same age have equal ability. For safety reasons and because it facilitates the best learning environment, players will be grouped by age and ability. These "teams" will then stay together throughout the week with the same coach (Team Votto, Team Barnhart, Team Suárez, etc.). There will be cross-pollination of instructors but we have found that the bonds created between teammates and their primary coach is one of the truly special dynamics at camp.
And yes, at our instructors' discretion, tennis balls, Wiffle balls and safety balls will be used liberally at camp. Of course, we will use regulation baseballs when appropriate but fear-free confidence is a critical foundation for fun and learning success.
Have questions about the camps? Send them to trappe@reds.com or call toll free at (855) 8GoReds (846-7337).
Day Care? No.
It’s true that we welcome players of every skill and experience level. It’s also true that we put a high premium on having fun. However, this is an honest-to-goodness baseball/softball camp and not a daycare service. Please keep that in mind when deciding to sign your little one up.
Travel Player? This camp is for you, too.
We get lots of travel players. This we can tell you for sure. The coaches we line up in front of your young travel player are expert baseball and softball instructors. There is no reason why a travel player should shy away from what promises to be an extraordinary camp.
We understand that travel ballplayers' schedules can be hectic in the summer. But give us one week of your summer. It will pay off in that night's game or next weekend's big tourney.
INSTRUCTION
Instructors
Parents know that when you find a great teacher, you grab him or her and hang on for dear life. They can be game changers in our kids' lives. Great baseball and softball coaches are the same.
That's why we carefully select, screen, train and monitor our instructors. Then we encourage them to unleash all the passion and creativity they can muster.
Each camp day for your child should be a masterpiece. These coaches get that, and they love it.
The bottom line? The men and women entrusted with the training of your kids are as good as they come. We promise.
Every instructor will undergo a thorough background check and will be “SafeSport Trained” as required by Major League Baseball
Video Analysis with Blast Motion
Much of what happens in the baseball/softball swing happens too fast to be tracked by the human eye. We are excited to announce that beginning this summer, we will utilize Blast Motion, one of most advanced measurement devices used in MLB, to deliver even more valuable insight. With Blast Motion, we have the ability to provide extraordinary data that will help your player reach the next level. If you would like your athlete’s swing recorded and personally analyzed featuring a comparison to Joey Votto or Mike Moustakas, please check the appropriate box on the registration form. There will be a $50 additional fee for this service.
NOTE: Videos will be completed following the camp season
PRICE
LET'S TALK STRAIGHT ABOUT THE FEE
For the tenth year, the camp price will remain at $395, plus a small processing fee. This fee gets 30 hours of terrific instruction, four Reds game tickets, a V.I.P. day at the ballpark, a full Reds uniform and the unforgettable friendships and memories all for about what some of us pay a babysitter on an hourly basis ($13.17).
Read below and see how you might be able to reduce the price.
TIME TO SIGN UP
The cost is $395 and you may pay in full online OR, before May 1, 2021, you may reserve your spot with a refundable $175 deposit. The balance will be due on May 1, 2021.
PARTICIPANT AGES
Camps are open to boys and girls ages 6 to 14
FAMILY AND FRIENDS DISCOUNT
If two or more children sign up together, each will receive a $25 discount*. In order to receive this Family/Friends Discount the registrations must be submitted together.
*This discount may not be combined with any other discount
EARLY BIRD SIGN UP DISCOUNT
Register prior to March 15, 2021 and receive a $25 discount. This discount may not be combined with any other discount.
CANCELLATION POLICY
You may cancel your registration up to 30 days prior to the first day of camp and receive a full refund.
CAMP TIME
Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm
EXTRA INNINGS (Early Arrivals and Late Pickups)
Camps begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. However, to accommodate parents' schedules, you may drop off your camper as early as 8 a.m. and/or pick him/her up as late as 5 p.m. An additional $5 will be charged for each early or late "Extra Inning." No pre-registration is necessary. Simply check in with the camp Field Director on Monday morning.
LUNCH
Campers should bring their own lunch and drinks. Please make sure to affix your player's name to these items and PLEASE make sure to put the camper's name on his/her bat, glove and water bottle.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
In the event of inclement weather, outdoor camp activities will be moved indoors. Our curriculum has provisions for excellent indoor activities and instruction. We reserve the right to cancel camp days for weather-related reasons and no refunds will be given. Every effort will be made to complete instruction. In our first nine years, no camp days have been lost.
FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS
Once you have registered we will communicate additional important camp information via e-mail. Please enter your e-mail address accurately on the registration form. Also, be sure you are entering the parent or guardian e-mail address, NOT the camper's.
CAR POOLING
We will assist you in making car pool arrangements. If interested, check the "Car Pool" box on the registration form. Prior to camp, parents who check the "Car Pool" box will be connected with others who are interested in this convenience.
Got a Flexible Spending Account at Work?
Many parents use their employer's FSA benefit to save even more. Check with your employer to see if the camp fee qualifies as Dependent Care. Our FEIN is 45-0643499. You will need that for reimbursement.
EXPERIENCE
V.I.P. Day Trip to Great American Ball Park for a behind-the-scenes experience
On one of the five camp days, campers will be transported by bus to Great American Ball Park for a day they will never forget. Your athlete will get a chance to experience Great American Ball Park in a way that few others can. It’s hard to overstate the special feeling that comes from being so close to Major League action. Now, how cool is that!
Subject to change if required by the Department of Health or MLB.
Four tickets to a Camper Reunion Game
Each participant will receive four tickets to a choice of one of several 2021 Reds games. These Camper Reunion Games provide a great chance to reunite with new friends from camp. If health conditions or limited seating capacity does not permit distribution of tickets in 2021, your four tickets will be honored in 2022.
Subject to change if required by the Department of Health or MLB.
Skills Competition with Champions Day at Great American Ball Park
Kids love to compete so we've made sure they have an opportunity to strut their competitive stuff while using the very skills we will be teaching them at camp. Every camper will participate in a baseball or softball skills competition. Each week, scores will be posted on the website. After the last camp, the top 10 scorers from each age group, from the entire summer, will be invited to the Champions Day finals at Great American Ball Park. Boys and girls will compete separately in the following groups: Grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, grades 5 and 6, grades 7 and 8. Friends and family are welcome to attend this exciting day.
Subject to change if required by the Department of Health or MLB.
Every camper will be given a full Reds uniform (jersey, pants, hat and belt)
If you are going to train like a Major Leaguer, might as well dress like one.
Special Patch for "Veterans"
Those players who have attended camp previously will receive a unique commemorative patch to proudly display on his/her new uniform.
