Craig County Field of Dreams
The Craig County Recreation and Conservation Association (CCR&CA) would like to share some exciting news and special accomplishments:
We celebrated our 10th Anniversary this year! With no county parks and recreation program, CCR&CA organized in 2005 and is meeting the needs of the community by implementing a successful recreation program ~ organizing all youth league sports, fund raising, scheduling and running practices and games, with nearly 80 volunteer coaches, 26 teams, and 330 children participating in baseball, softball, T-ball, football, soccer, volleyball, basketball and cheerleading.
We are developing the Craig Field of Dreams (FOD), an 18 acre sports complex with two of the four baseball and softball fields completed and utilized for practice and games. We hosted teams from other localities on our home fields for the first time ever developing dedicated players, community pride and even adding to the local economy. We acquired the Craig County Soccer Club under the CCR&CA umbrella and the 14 soccer teams, coaches and volunteers utilized the FOD outfields for practice and games. We will be adding an archery range to the FOD thanks to an Eagle Scout project.
While we’ve accomplished lots of things, our work is not complete. We need your help as a volunteer worker and/or support to continue developing the FOD. Our goal by the end of 2015 is $27,800 to purchase 2 backstops and control fences for the 3rd and 4th ball fields in order to have them playable by spring 2016. This will allow the 17 home softball, 26 home baseball, and 12 home soccer game numbers to double next year!
In addition to backstops and control fences, there is a need for:
Bleachers, 2 sets @ $6,000
Dugouts, 2 sets for $8,000
Hydro seeding $3,000
Outfield fences 2 sets @ $2,400
Excavating and Fuel $35,000
The benefits of sports in a child’s life are confirmed by national studies and local recreation leaders. Sports provides a healthy lifestyle through good physical activities and exercise, decreased boredom and risky behavior, and improved attitude and academic performance. Plus, being part of a team contributes to social skills and self esteem. To show the commitment to recreation in rural Craig County, there are 622 children in the school system, and 330 play some kind of sports, nearly half of our children playing and improving their over-all well-being.
One parent said “My son played baseball this spring for the first time. He absolutely loved it! His coach was adept at teaching the boys skills of the game, but also at building teamwork and sportsmanship. Winning wasn’t as important as learning the game and having fun. The continuing dream for this facility is to be a venue that fosters both dreams of sports in the heart of our youth, and also the life gifts that help them be better adults.”
We hope you will join us in being a fan by volunteering for or supporting the CCR&CA FOD. You can become a real “Friend of the Field” by clicking our GoFundMe account for your tax deductable gift. Our children thank you for helping our Field have a bright future. Naming opportunities and field fence signs are available for your donations!
Sincerely,
CCR&CA Officers, Advisors and Members
P.O. Box 371
270 Old Railroad Avenue
New Castle, VA 24127
