In January 2001, the Phillies launched Phillies Phundamentals, an after-school/summer camp program for children 7-12 years old that uses baseball to teach and reinforce academic skills. Through a partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, Phillies Phundamentals initially launched in five recreation centers throughout Philadelphia.

Volunteer with Phillies Phundamentals, an after-school recreations program. For more info email fandev@phillies.com.

Since its inception, Phillies Phundamentals has taken place in 19 different locations and reaches approximately 2,000 children each year.

· American Legion · Cohocksink · Disston · Emanuel · F.J. Myers · Ferko · Gustine Lake · Granahan · Hillside

· Junod · Kingsessing · Lawncrest · Mander · Mantua · Mayfair · Michael Palmer · Mitchell · Murphy

· Overbrook · Pleasant · Rivera · Samuel · Scanlon · Simonts · Vogt · Waterview

Phillies Phundamentals is broken into two school-year sessions -- fall and spring -- and a summer session. During the school year, Phillies Phundamentals is held at each location one day a week for approximately one hour after school. The after-school programs tend to have children who range in age from 6-12 years old, therefore lessons have to be constructed in such a manner that they can appeal to and educate a variety of ages.

The summer session of Phillies Phundamentals, the program is run in conjunction with the summer camp at each site. Like the school-year session, the summer session runs one day a week for approximately one hour. However, since summer camps are broken into age groups and enroll a larger number of children, lessons are conducted according to age and there are typically a number of sessions at each site.

Any academic subject can easily use baseball as a tool to educate. Phillies Phundamentals lessons have focused on mathematics by using player statistics, reading/literature, history, science, health, geography and art.

Shane Victorino and Chris Coste visit Rivera Recreation Center's Phillies Phundamentals site
When the Phillies returned to Philadelphia for the Winter Tour in January outfielder Shane Victorino and catcher Chris Coste spent an afternoon visiting with Rivera Recreation Center's Phillies Phundamentals participants. Children drew pictures welcoming the duo, chanted their names and asked them questions before getting an autograph from each.

Trip to Pittsburgh, Pa. - Southwest Airlines became the Phillies Phundamentals sponsor in 2004 and each year offers one child from each site the opportunity to participate in a special day trip. On July 11 twelve children who were selected by their centers to be part of a special daytrip to Pittsburgh, Pa. courtesy of Phillies Phundamentals sponsor Southwest Airlines. The children were called the "Phillies Phundamentals All-Stars" because the trip took place during the All-Star break and because each exemplified the meaning of being a good teammate. Early that morning, the All-Stars met at Citizens Bank Park and traveled to Philadelphia Airport where they were met by Southwest Airlines' Gary Leonard who guided the group through security. Once on the plane, children were introduced to passengers who clapped and cheered them on making them feel like true superstars. Though many of the children had never flown before and had butterflies in their stomachs during takeoff, their apprehension quickly turned to excitement as they saw the objects on the ground grow smaller and smaller. Once in Pittsburgh they traveled to The Carnegie Science Center where they played in Sports Works and learned the science of sports through interactive games and exhibits. They finished the day with the IMAX Film "The Deep Sea" and a trip to the gift shop before heading back to Pittsburgh International for their flight back to Philadelphia. When they were reunited with their parents that night they were exhausted but filled with memories and new friends met on their exciting day trip.

Phillies Game - Phillies Phundamentals participants from the school year session of the program were invited to attend an On Deck preseason game against the Boston Red Sox.

Summer Phillies Phundamentals participants attended the Phillies game against the Los Angeles Dodgers On Wednesday, August 22. Prior to the Friday, game, a short presentation thanking Southwest Airlines was held on the field. A brief video of the trip to Pittsburgh was shown in the background as Phillies Phundamentals participants presented Southwest Airlines with a thank you gift.

We are always looking for volunteers to work with Phillies Phundamentals. If you are interested in volunteering for the program or simply would like to receive more information e-mail fandev@phillies.com or call 215.463.1000.