Are there any camp fees?
Absolutely not! Due to generous donations by various organizations and individuals from around the state of Iowa, it is FREE for the campers to register for the camp!

Who is eligible for the camp and how old do they have to be?
Any deaf or hard-of-hearing children from the state of Iowa between the ages of 7 through 14 are eligible for the camp.

They must be age appropriate prior to arriving to the 1st day of camp. If a child turns 15 years old during the camp week, then that is acceptable. However, a camper cannot turn 7 during the week.

We also accept out-of-state kids!

Campers must provide own housing and transportation. See below for more information.

Please contact us for more information if you have any questions.

What time is the camp, and when can a camper be dropped off and picked up?
The camp begins at 8:15 am and lasts until 12:30 pm. Lunch will start serving at 12:00 pm.

The drop-off period is between 8:00 – 8:15 am. The pick-up period is between 12:30 – 12:45 pm.

We recommend that the campers show up a little earlier on Monday morning to allow time for them to change into their uniforms.

What do the campers receive?
They will receive a full IBCD uniform that includes a cap, jersey shirt, pants and socks. In addition to that, they will receive excellent baseball and life skills instruction from a well-trained and highly qualified staff in a safe, nurturing environment.

Who will be washing the uniforms?
On the first day of the camp, the campers will receive their uniforms and change into it in a nearby bathroom. At the end of the day, they can wear it home, and then wear it again to camp the next morning. It is at the discretion of the parents how often to wash the uniforms. We recommend every night; due to the amount of dirt and sweat they encounter everyday.

Should campers bring their own equipment?
Campers are required to bring their own baseball glove and athletic shoes. Molded cleats are acceptable, but metal spikes are not allowed. The camp will provide bats, helmets and baseballs. If a camper has their own baseball equipment, they are free to bring them. We also strongly recommend that campers put their name on everything prior to arriving to camp.

What about lost or stolen items?
IBCD is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. These items includes, but not limited to: Cochlear implants, hearing aids, personal electronic devices (such as cell phones), baseball equipment.

If you lose an item, you may ask us if we know what happened to it, but we will not guarantee that the item will be returned to its owner.

Will the camp provide food?
Yes, we will! Every day we will provide lunch, snacks, water and lemonade to the campers and the camp staff. All lunches will be catered from local restaurants.

What happens if it rains?
We try to 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 nearby, we will gather at the shelter and wait out the weather. During the delay, coaches will provide some additional instructions, such as how to keep score or go over baseball rules.

How are injuries handled on field?
IBCD has an on-site professional and licensed nurse. In the event of an injury, the camp nurse and selected volunteers will provide an initial evaluation and recommend what course of action needs to be taken. Campers may be allowed to resume the activity, may be asked to rest at the shelter or may be sent to a local medical facility for x-rays or a more detailed evaluation. Parents are notified if an injury occurs, and immediately if a serious injury occurs.

What if a camper has special needs?
When a camper registers for the camp, there will be a section on it to fill out if there are any special needs, such as food allergies, or medical conditions that we need to be aware of.

Please understand that this is a baseball camp for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, not a “special needs” camp. The camp staff as a whole is not trained or equipped to handle kids with physical special needs.

The camper needs to acknowledge that he or she is able to, on his or her own, participate physically on a baseball field. This includes, but is not limited to running and walking on unleveled surfaces of dirt and grass, along with any baseball and physical activities.

What are the housing and transportation options for the camp?
The camper’s parents are responsible for making transportation arrangements each day for the camper to be dropped off and picked up. For out-of-town campers, please consider coming into Des Moines with family for the week and making a vacation out of it. You will be responsible for making your own arrangements, whether staying with family and friends in the area, or getting a hotel. Although we do not endorse any particular hotel, there are several hotels in the area near Johnston Little League. Please contact the hotels directly, or consider checking other options.

Can the campers’ siblings or friends stay and watch them?
Johnston Little League is located inside the Lew Clarkson Park, which is a public park. During the camp, family and friends are more than welcome to stay and observe the camp. They have the right to be in a public park. However, the baseball fields themselves are private, and under IBCD control.

IBCD is NOT responsible for the observers, nor will supervise the non-camper children. They are in no way allowed to interfere with the camp. They cannot participate in any camp-sanctioned activities, must stay off the baseball fields and out of the way. We cannot feed them lunches or snacks, as the camp did not account for them in the budget. We reserve the right to ask the observers to leave the fields and the shelter.

Can families and friends attend the Iowa Cubs game?
Yes, they can! All campers are required to have at least one adult attend with them to the Iowa Cubs game at Principal Park during one of the nights of the camp week. If an adult cannot attend the game with their child, arrangements may be made with other adults.

Does it cost money to attend the Iowa Cubs game?
Thanks to the incredible support from the Iowa Cubs, all campers will be given free tickets to attend the game. The campers’ families and friends will be able to get a ticket at a discounted rate (usually around half the price of the normal cost). We will announce the procedures in obtaining the discounted tickets at a later date.

I would love to volunteer for this camp! What can I do to help out IBCD?
One of the great things about IBCD is that we have an amazing team of professional coaches, ex-players, and other volunteers who all do an amazing job helping the camp run smoothly. Another great thing about the staff is that everybody is connected to each other in one way or another. The camp committee personally handpicks every volunteer.

So if you want to volunteer, that’s fantastic! Please contact us for more information.

Please be aware that there is such a thing as too many volunteers, so if we decline your help, don’t feel bad. There are many other ways you could help us out, including sponsoring or donating! For more information on that, please go to the sponsors/donors page.