The Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf (IBCD) is celebrating a decade of making sure every kid who wants to play ball gets the chance—no communication barriers, just baseball and connection.
This week’s camp runs Monday through Friday at Johnston Little League Parks and is the biggest yet, with 41 deaf and hard-of-hearing kids ages 7 to 14 participating. The camp is completely free, thanks to the support of generous sponsors and donors.
Thursday is a special highlight: the campers will attend the Iowa Cubs game at Principal Park for Deaf Culture Night, where they’ll sign the national anthem and wear ASL-themed shirts. The I-Cubs have hosted this inclusive night for the past 10 years—matching the age of the camp itself.
The camp was founded by I-Cubs photographer Dylan Heuer, who saw the need for a space where kids from rural areas or mainstream schools could meet others who share their language and experiences.
“They struggle to communicate. They don’t have that language access,” Heuer signed. “But they come here and there are no barriers. Whether they speak or sign a little, they can connect, play, and just be themselves.”
And that’s exactly what’s happening this week. Camper Lena signed, “My favorite part is hitting the ball and catching. I love baseball camp.” Maya added, “I can hit the ball really far,” and Angel summed it up: “This camp is really good. I have so much fun. I see my friends and you do a lot of teamwork.”
The joy is unmistakable. “If they get a good hit, they’re running to first base with huge smiles,” Heuer said. “They can just be themselves here.”
Camp wraps up Friday morning with one last thrill: the kids return to Principal Park to tour the stadium and play on the field alongside I-Cubs players.
courtesy of Who 13 Des Moines
