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Bulls/Sox Academy Youth Sports Camp to Benefit Women's Shelter

By Wendell Hutson | August 7, 2014 5:39am
 The Bulls/Sox Academy will run a youth sports camp at an Daniel Wentworth Elementary School in Englewood in September.
The Bulls/Sox Academy will run a youth sports camp at an Daniel Wentworth Elementary School in Englewood in September.
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DNAinfo/Wendell Hutson

ENGLEWOOD — The Bulls/Sox Academy, a youth sports camp, will operate at an Englewood elementary school next month with plans to donate a portion of camp fees to a women's shelter.

The baseball camp runs from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 6-13 and the cost is $60. The basketball camp runs from 1-2:30 p.m. Sept. 6-27 and the cost is $95. Both camps are for kids between 5-14 years old and will be held at Daniel Wentworth Elementary School, 1340 W. 71st St.

A registration form is available online. For more information call the academy at 630-324-8221.

Clara's House, a women's shelter in Englewood, is the beneficiary of the camps, said Pete Kelly, senior director of marketing for the academy.

"The Bulls/Sox Academy runs over 1,500 programs each year for kids ages 5-18 all over Chicago and the suburbs," Kelly said. "The mission of the Bulls/Sox Academy is to create a fun, safe and invigorating environment, teaching the games of basketball, baseball and fast pitch softball, maximizing the skills, and building of self-esteem of each boy and girl with whom we have contact."

He declined to say how much would be donated to the shelter, citing a policy not to discuss monetary terms.

Rosilind Sculfield, executive director of Clara's House, said it's not about the money raised but the opportunity for children in Englewood and nearby Auburn Gresham to enjoy a sports camp.

"The fact that this is a traveling camp that goes to different communities is a blessing," Sculfield said. "It's a great opportunity for our kids and whatever money raised on our behalf will be appreciated."

Over the past year the shelter has struggled financially to stay afloat.

In March 2013, Clara Kirk, founder of the shelter, owed the city of Chicago more than $41,969 in building code fines. The city settled with Kirk last August for $1,000. In October 2013, Peoples Gas disconnected heat at Clara’s Place after it racked up a $21,027 past-due bill, which an anonymous donor paid off.

Kelly said no Bulls or Sox players would be teaching at the camps.

Dina Everage, principal of Wentworth Elementary, said hosting the camps was a no-brainer since it has the facilities to do so.

"It's all about the kids and helping the community," Everage said.

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