Ted Williams Camp

The Ted Williams Baseball Camp was established in 1958 in Lakeville for boys ages 7 to 17 by the legendary Ted Williams who spent his entire major league career as a player with the Boston Red Sox. Williams, arguably the greatest hitter ever, explained his rationale for founding the camp when he stated "One of the bright spots of my life was the first time I attended a boys camp. A strong body has been one of my greatest assets, and I attribute its beginning to this early camping experience."

The camp offered instruction in baseball daily both to overnight and day campers, and later added basketball to program. Sessions varied in length from two to several weeks and campers' skills were evaluated throughout the period, at the close of which their parents would be provided with a report. Traditional summer camp activities including swimming in Loon Pond as well as canoeing and rowing were also a staple of the program, though the highlight most frequently recalled by campers was the inevitible visit of Williams himself.

The Ted Williams Camp remained in operation at Lakeville through the early 1980s, and in 1986 the property was acquired by the Town of Lakeville.

For recollections and photographs of the camp, visit Ted Williams Camp Alumni and Sons of Sam Horn.

Illustration:

"The Ted Williams Camp, Lakeville, Massachusetts", paper

This small card accompanied the reports which were sent to parents at the conclusion of each camp season. Campers were evaluated "in all major camping areas" by at least six different camp personnel, and were graded on a system from 1 to 5.