[From my June 10 article in the Colchester Bulletin]
On Saturday, June 19 the story of Cody Camp will begin a new chapter. The Cody Camp Memorial Field Foundation and Colchester Parks & Recreation will be opening a very special field, dedicated in his memory, in grand style. From 9:00am until 2:00pm at Jackter Intermediate School, the home of the new field, community members are invited to take part in a bevy of fun activities.
The day’s line up will include free food and refreshments, a bounce house, face painting, opening ceremonies at 10am, a chance to meet Wally, the Boston Red Sox mascot and more. Perhaps most fitting of all, however, will be a special baseball game to be played by kids who would have been Cody’s peers – two squads of children who are just finishing fourth grade.
This journey began a little more than three and half years ago, when Cody Camp, only 6 years old at the time, passed away from Burkitt's Lymphoma. Soon after, family friends decided that a fitting way to memorialize Cody would be to recognize his great love of baseball by building a ballfield in his name. Within no time, the Cody Camp Memorial Field Foundation was born and fundraising took off.
Over the next few years, arrangements were made with the town to provide the site for this extraordinary gift – one that would leave an incredible legacy for all of the community’s children to enjoy. The Foundation planned for, and ultimately built, a first class facility. Cody Camp Memorial Field is now one of the premier fields in town, and the only diamond to have irrigation. When the finishing touches are installed, it will include a solar-powered scoreboard along with many other amenities.
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While an effort like this certainly requires the contributions of many, and this project is no exception, it is fair to say that none of this would have happened without an incredible leader at the helm. Though he is quick to deflect praise toward others, Bob McGovern, the head of the Foundation, was the linchpin and driving force that brought the field to fruition. The father of one of Cody’s best friends at the time, Bob had a personal commitment to making this happen.
It would be impossible to quantify the amount of time that Bob has dedicated to this project over the years, particularly during the field’s construction. From working with vendors and contractors to secure donated and deeply discounted products and services, to getting down and dirty in the installation of the field’s clay and sod. The field will forever be imbued with Bob’s blood, sweat and tears.
Of course, Bob would be the first to tell you that the field is not about him – his efforts are aimed at creating a permanent testament to Cody and all the other children of Colchester who have passed before their time. I am sure the community joins me in thanking Bob and the entire Foundation, and letting them know that their work is appreciated. While I never got the pleasure of meeting Cody personally, from all I’ve learned I’m sure he will be looking down and smiling as the field comes to life on June 19.
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