Alphians revives youth camp for 50th-anniversary season

Homerun derby, laser games and a sleepover are back at Alphians, and the club has brought its youth camp out of the archive for its 50th-anniversary season. For families trying to decide whether baseball is worth a try, this is the easiest entry point Alphians has offered in years: a low-cost weekend built around fun, skill work and enough variety to keep beginners interested.

The club announced the revived jeugdkamp on 12 April, and it is being framed as more than just another date on the calendar. Alphians called it a restored tradition for all youth members, and that matters in a club year that is already being built around the 50th anniversary. The camp now sits inside a wider jubilee programme that also includes a 50-year party on Sunday 21 June 2026 at 13:00, while the 50th season opening will be handled by club founder Ben Ponsioen and Alphen aan den Rijn alderman Gert-Jan Schotanus.

The camp itself is packed. Alphians has lined up batting instruction with Kalian Sams, a homerun derby, field training for baseball and softball, speed measurements, wiffle ball and internal games. In the evening, the plan shifts from training to team-building, with capture-the-flag style play, laser games and a movie in the clubhouse. That mix is exactly what makes the weekend feel accessible for newcomers: the children get baseball instruction, but they also get the kind of activity schedule that keeps a camp moving.

The practical details are straightforward. The revived youth camp will take place at Ballpark BSC Alphians from Saturday 23 May 2026 at 10:00 to Sunday 24 May 2026 at 11:00. Children from age 6 can stay overnight, while younger children are welcome on Saturday only. The participation fee is €10 via payment request, a price that keeps the barrier to entry low for families who want to test the waters without a big commitment.

Alphians also made clear that the camp depends on more than coaches alone. The club says it runs on volunteers, and its own pages stress that trainers and coaches are central to player development. Parents and members are being asked to help with club tasks and event organisation, which fits the spirit of a weekend that is meant to be as much about club culture as baseball.