Camp

2023 Summer Camp Registration is Now Open! Click Here to Register!

Thank you for considering enrolling your child or a child under your care in our Bethesda Big Train Summer Camp. Please know that the Bethesda Big Train Summer Camp will make every reasonable effort to follow all federal, state and local government protocols necessary to protect the health and safety of your child.

BETHESDA BIG TRAIN BASEBALL CAMP OVERVIEW

The Bethesda Big Train are proud to bring back the Big Train Summer Baseball Camp for its 24th summer of affordable fun for kids ages 5-12. And we are very excited to announce the introduction of the Gio Gonzalez Big Train Pitching Camp for kids ages 13-18.

Big Train Manager and Director of Baseball Operations Sal Colangelo runs the camp and has been named the Maryland State Amateur Coach of the Year and the Cal Ripken Senior Collegiate Baseball League (CRSCBL) Manager of the Year by the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches. He has led the Big Train to nine CRSCBL titles, including five straight from 2016-2021, and was inducted into the CRSCBL Hall of Fame in the 2019 inaugural class. Big Train Associate Head Coach Galvin Morris directs the camp's day-to-day operations in close conjunction with Sal. Coaches Sal and Galvin, along with their star-studded roster of college players from around the country will be the instructors each week at Big Train Summer Baseball Camp teaching kids 5-12 the FUNdamentals of baseball. Some of the best collegiate talent comes to play for the Big Train and more than 150 Big Train alumni have been drafted by Major League teams while 21 have made it to the big leagues. Those 21 include 2022 All-Stars Joe Mantiply (D-Backs) and Ty France (Marines), as well as Brandon Lowe (Rays), Logan Gilbert (Mariners), Hunter Renfroe (Angels), Ken Waldichuk (A's), Hunter Brown (Astros), Alec Burleson (Cardinals), and James Outman (Dodgers).

All campers at the Big Train Summer Baseball Camp will receive excellent instruction in all the fundamentals of the game and get the opportunity to play in a live game each day. Along with our General Camp, which is for kids of all ages and abilities, we also offer specialized camp sessions including Advanced Development Camp, Pitching Camp, and new in 2023, Catching Camp, all of which are for older and more experienced 9-12 year olds. More information on each is below.

Each camper who attends Big Train Summer Baseball Camp will receive an official camp t-shirt that gets them free admission to all Big Train home games at Shirley Povich Field during the 2023 regular season. Tickets should be reserved online in advance of each game.

The Gio Gonzalez Big Train Pitching Camp is new in 2023 and offers advanced pitching instruction led by two-time MLB All-Star pitcher Gio Gonzalez. This camp will help prepare high school pitchers for summer baseball and fall showcases. The camps will be held at Shirley Povich Field and make use of the recently renovated Big Train bullpen. Big Train's college players will assist Gonzalez. The camp will be offered over two one-hour sessions (9-10 a.m. & 10:30-11:30 a.m.) on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of each camp week. To prevent campers from overworking their arms, campers are limited to attending either session one or session two. More information is below.

Camp Descriptions

General Camp: All campers will receive instruction on the basic fundamentals of the game through drills and play in live games throughout the week. The session is designed for players of all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Campers will work on a mix of drills including bunting, fielding, throwing, hitting and catching, while also playing fun games that help with hand-eye coordination and agility. All campers will receive an official Big Train Summer Camp T-Shirt that entitles the camper to free admission to all Big Train regular season home games played at Shirley Povich Field in 2023. Tickets must be reserved online in advance of each game. Ages 5-12. $330.

Advanced Development Camp: This session is designed for kids who play Select or Travel baseball. All campers will receive instruction on the fundamentals of the game as well as more advanced training. Campers will have the chance to play in live game action with teams selected by the counselors. Campers will work on rundowns, cutoffs, reading the ball off the bat, and baserunning techniques. While this session is more advanced, campers will participate in competitive games to work on hand-eye coordination and agility. This session is limited to 24 campers. All campers will receive an official Big Train Summer Camp T-Shirt that entitles the camper to free admission to all Big Train regular season home games player at Shirley Povich Field in 2023. Tickets must be reserved online in advance of each game. Ages 9-12. Morning Only. $260.

Pitching Camp: This session is designed for kids who want to focus specifically on pitching, whether they have been pitching for years or are just now getting started. All campers receive highly specialized training that includes work on stamina, throwing motion, strength and balance. This session is limited to 24 campers. All campers will receive an official Big Train Summer Camp T-Shirt that entitles the camper to free admission to all Big Train regular season home games played at Shirley Povich Field in 2023. Tickets must be reserved online in advance of each game. (Note: Pitching Camp will NOT meet on Wednesdays to prevent the risk of campers straining their arms. Campers are encouraged to attend General Camp on Wednesday afternoon at no additional charge.) Ages 9-12. Afternoon Only. $230.

Catching Camp: This session is limited to 16 campers and designed for kids who want to focus specifically on catching, whether they have been catching for years or are just getting started. All campers receive highly specialized training, including work on stance, blocking, throwing, receiving, footwork, and other specific drills. All campers will receive an official Big Train Summer Camp T-Shirt that entitles the camper to free admission to all Big Train regular season home games played at Povich Field in 2023. Tickets must be reserved online in advance of each game. (Note: Catching Camp will NOT meet on Wednesdays to prevent the risk of campers straining their arms/bodies. Campers MUST bring their own catcher's equipment. Campers are encouraged to attend General Camp on Wednesday afternoon in lieu of Catching Camp.) Ages 9-12. Afternoon Only. $200.

Gio Gonzalez Big Train Pitching Camp: This is limited to 12 campers per session, will help prepare high school pitchers for summer baseball and fall college showcases, and wlil be led by two-time MLB All-Star Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez won 131 games over his 13-year career and in 2012, as a member of the Natinoals, led the NL with 21 wins and won the Warren Spahn Award as the best left-handed pitcher in the game. The Pitching Camp will be held at Shirley Povich Field and will make use of the recently renovated Big Train bullpen. Big Train college players will assist Gonzalez. Gio Gonzalez Big Train Pitching Camp will meet on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday of the weeks of June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, and August 7 in two sessions: 9-10 a.m. and 10:30-11:30 a.m. To protect arms from overuse, campers are permitted to choose between session one OR session two. Campers cannot attend both. On Monday, pitchers will go through an evaluatioin, pitching mechanics, throwing progression, breakdown routines, and pitching points. Tuesdays will feature short box/flat ground work, band exercises, medicine ball exercises, secondary pitches, and working out of the stretch vs windup. Thursdays will feature bullpens to prepare for showcases featuring pitch speed measurements. Each camper will receive a written evaluation at the end of the week. Ages 13-18. Morning Only. For camper health and safety, campers are only permitted to attend ONE session per week (either 9-10 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m.). $230.

2023 Camp Dates

June 12 - June 14: Gio Gonzalez Pitching Camp Week 1

June 19 - June 23: Summer Baseball Camp Week 1: General Camp

June 26 - June 30: Summer Baseball Camp Week 2: General Camp | Advanced Camp | Pitching Camp | Catching Camp

June 26 - June 29: Gio Gonzalez Pitching Camp Week 2

July 10 - July 14: Week 3: General Camp | Advanced Camp | Pitching Camp | Catching Camp

July 10 - July 13: Gio Gonzalez Pitching Camp Week 3

July 17 - July 21: Week 4: General Camp | Advanced Camp | Pitching Camp

July 24 - July 28: Week 5: General Camp

July 24 - July 27: Gio Gonzalez Pitching Camp Week 4

August 7 - August 10: Gio Gonzalez Pitching Camp Week 5

Camp Staff

Sal Colangelo: Director of Operations | salcolangelo@hotmail.com

Galvin Morris: Camp Director | 703-203-5059

Craig Lopez: Summer Camp Pitching Coordinator

Gio Gonzalez: Gio Gonzalez Big Train Pitching Camp Coordinator

Camp Information

Times:

General Camp: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Advanced Development Camp: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Pitching Camp: 1-3 p.m. (off on Wednesdays; Pitching Campers are welcome to join General Camp Wednesday afternoon or take the afternoon off)

Catching Camp: 1-3 p.m. (off on Wednesdays; Catching Campers are welcome to join General Camp Wednesday afternoon or take the afternoon off)

Gio Gonzalez Big Train Pitching Camp: 9-10 a.m. & 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Before Care: 7:30-9 a.m.

After Care: 3-5 p.m.

Prices:

General Camp: $330

Advanced Development Camp (morning only): $260

Pitching Camp (afternoon only; doesn’t meet Wednesday): $230

Catching Camp (afternoon only, doesn't meet Wednesdays): $200

General Camp (morning)/Pitching Camp (afternoon): $360

Advanced Camp (morning)/General Camp (afternoon): $360

Advanced Camp (morning)/Pitching Camp (afternoon): $400

Gio Gonzalez Big Train Pitching Camp (morning): $230

Additional Information

Big Train Camp Counselors

All Big Train counselors and instructors are college-aged baseball players from around the country. They are top level players with plenty of experience. They are all fingerprinted and background checked prior to the start of camp. The counselors all play on the Bethesda Big Train baseball team as part of the Cal Ripken Senior Collegiate Baseball League.

What to Bring to Camp

Campers must bring: Baseball glove, baseball cap, water bottle, packed lunch, sunscreen, bug spray.

We highly encourage campers to bring: baseball pants, cleats, baseball bat, baseball helmet.

Most importantly, bring a positive attitude!

Lunch

All campers will bring their own lunches, which will be stored in the air conditioned concessions stand at Shirley Povich Field.

Before Care/After Care

Big Train Summer Baseball Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. You can drop your camper off early or pick them up late with Before and After Care. Before Care runs from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and After Care runs from 3 to 5 p.m. They each cost $50 per week ($100 together).

Campers will not receive instruction during Before or After Care but will be supervised by Big Train staff members inside the confines of Shirley Povich Field. Kids will have the opportunity to watch baseball movies, play games, and learn about baseball strategy and statistics, among other informal activities. Kids can watch batting practice on the days of Big Train home games.

Picking your child up after 5 PM on multiple occasions will result in an additional $50 charge.

Drop Off and Pick Up Policy

The full day of camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please drop your kids off at Shirley Povich Field (10600 Westlake Drive, Bethesda, MD 20852) between 8:45 and 9 a.m. so we can get started with baseball training immediately. Come to the entrance at the right side of Shirley Povich Field where our staff will be set up. Campers are responsible for their own transportation to and from camp.

Pick up is at the same location at Shirley Povich Field. Please pick your child up between 3 and 3:15 p.m. Identification required at checkout. If you are to be picked up by someone other than the listed guardians on the registration sheet, you must submit a written note signed by all parties involved.

Refund Policy

Registrants who cancel their camp registration 30 days or more prior to the start of their camp session are entitled to a full refund, minus a $25 administrative fee. Registrants who cancel less than 30 days before the start of their camp session can either receive a credit for an equivalent 2024 Big Train camp registration or make their registration payment a tax-deductible donation to Big Train.

Registrants who change their camp session two weeks or less prior to the start of either week of camp will be charged a $25 administrative fee.

If Big Train Summer Camp is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, registrants will receive a full refund.

Rainy Day Policy

This is an outdoor summer camp, and when it is raining campers will be placed underneath the Picnic Pavilion at Shirley Povich Field where coaches will show movies, talk baseball, play trivia and cards. During a rainy day, you are allowed to pick up your camper early. There will be no refunds because of weather.

Registration Forms and Waivers

All parents or legal guardians of campers must also submit a signed CAMP WAIVER in order to participate, which you will see on the registration page.

For carpool pickups and drop offs, please have a note signed by all parents of campers included.

Behavior Guidelines and Personal Property

All campers are responsible for their own equipment. Big Train Summer Baseball Camp will not be held responsible for any lost items. Any lost item will be put in the Camp lost and found. Parents must call 301-365-1076 to discuss items lost at camp. Please make sure all equipment is labeled with the camper's name.

At Big Train camp, campers are expected to treat others fairly and with respect. That means no use of inappropriate language, no physical harm against another camper, no bullying, no smoking or possession of alcohol or drugs, and no leaving camp grounds without the supervision of a counselor.

Counselors will discuss these rules on the first Monday of each camp.

Any camper who does not follow the above rules and regulations may be subject to expulsion from camp. Parents will be notified in the first instsance and our staff will talk with the camper. No refund will be given after expulsion for cause.

Health and Illness

Bethesda Big Train Summer Camp will make every reasonable effort to follow all federal, state and local government prootcols necessary to protect the health and safety of your child.

All medical information needed is filled out during the registration process. Camp staff has access to all files if needed. If a child needs special attention (medication, epi-pen, allergies, etc.) please email Director of Operations Sal Colangelo at salcolangelo@hotmail.com with any information needed.

We will collect all needed items from parents on the first Monday of camp, and each item will go to the designated camp fields with staff. Any concern of camper or staff misconduct should be brought to the attention of the Camp Director Galvin Morris immediately.

Every effort is made to keep campers safe. However, in the case of an injury at camp, first aid kits are on site. Campers will be brought to the shade and monitored. We will call the responsible adult noted during the camp registration process.

Several water and shade breaks will be given each day. Campers can refill their water bottles at camp as needed. Water fountains are placed at each field. This is especially important in the heat of the summer. If a camper needs to use the bathroom, they must notify a staff member, who will then walk them there.

If you have any day-to-day questions during your child's camp session, please call Galvin Morris at 703-203-5059. If you have any administrative or sign up questions, please call Sal Colangelo at 703-967-5855 or email camp@bigtrain.org.