Volunteers
Meet the team!
Director’s Note
When I started IBCD, I never expected how many people in my own life would eventually become staples of this camp.
My family helps wherever they’re needed. Deaf adults serve as role models for our campers. Our incredible interpreting community comes together each summer to make camp accessible. College friends from across the country return year after year. Teacher and educator friends give up a little of their summer break to volunteer. Our head coaches have become fixtures at IBCD. Former campers have grown up and come back as volunteers. Special guests from the Iowa Cubs pitch in too. Even my mom’s book club shows up to serve pizza!
What started as a simple baseball camp has grown into a community of volunteers who keep showing up for these kids. I’m incredibly grateful to every one of them and proud of the community we’ve built together.
Dylan Heuer,
Camp Director
It Takes a Family
IBCD has always been a family effort. My mom and wife have taken on important roles behind the scenes, while my dad, aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members pitch in wherever they’re needed to help make camp happen year after year.
Camp Coordinator
Nancy keeps IBCD running smoothly behind the scenes, coordinating meals and snacks, finances, Iowa Cubs tickets, and everything happening at the shelter. She’s the person making sure the details are taken care of so camp stays on track.
Lead Interpreter
Ursula coordinates daily interpreter assignments and provides guidance on baseball terminology and camp activities to keep communication accessible. She also makes sure Dylan keeps IBCD running – arguably her most important assignment.
Special Assistants to IBCD
From setup and cleanup to golf cart rides and other highly important camp duties, they’re always ready to lend a hand and morale support. Their exact job descriptions remain unclear, but IBCD wouldn’t be quite the same without them.
Head Coaches
Our head coaches are familiar faces at IBCD, returning year after year to teach the game, encourage our campers, and make baseball fun.
Head Coach
A Dowling Catholic graduate and former Chicago Cubs minor leaguer, Ryan went on to coach at Roosevelt High School and now works with players throughout the Des Moines area, including through his own Ascension Sports Club. He has been a fixture on the IBCD coaching staff since 2016.
Head Coach
An Iowa Baseball Hall of Famer and commissioner of the Mid-Iowa Baseball League, John has been with IBCD since 2015. His connection to the camp goes back even further, having coached at Sertoma Fantasy Baseball before IBCD began – including a young Dylan along the way.
Head Coach
A former Roosevelt High School and Ellsworth Community College baseball player, Luke brings years of playing experience and a lifelong love of the game to IBCD. A longtime friend of Dylan’s, their baseball history goes all the way back to childhood wiffle ball games.
Our Volunteer Community
Every summer, an incredible group of volunteers comes together to make IBCD possible – interpreters, coaches, Deaf role models, educators, former campers, family, friends, and community partners.
Interested in Volunteering?
IBCD is fortunate to have an incredible group of volunteers who return year after year. While our volunteer needs vary each summer, we’re always happy to hear from people who may be interested in getting involved.
If you’d like to volunteer, send us an email and tell us a little about yourself, your experience, and how you’d like to be involved.
Reaching out does not guarantee a volunteer position. Opportunities are based on the needs of each year’s camp.