Our Three Pillars of Focus
(1) National Youth Mentoring Initiatives (2) Youth Development Parks (3) National STEM Center Initiative
ABOUT USPowering Possibility: New STEM Center Empowers Girls to Dream Big
Lily Baughan
July 28, 2025
On a bright Oklahoma morning, Girl Scouts in green sashes huddled around robots and coding kits, their eyes lighting up with every new discovery. Behind them stood a united team of leaders and visionaries, ready to unveil a bold new chapter in STEM Education. In a powerful display of partnership and purpose, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma, and Devon Energy, recently celebrated the opening of a brand-new STEM Center at Camp Trivera in Oklahoma City. This hands-on learning lab is designed to spark curiosity and confidence in the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math.
The Ribbon Cutting ceremony welcomed local Girl Scouts, community leaders, and partners to an exciting morning filled with interactive STEM demonstrations, student-led exploration, and a shared vision: building brighter futures through education and opportunity.
“This STEM Center represents more than just a room with exciting equipment, it’s a gateway to opportunity,” said Holly York, STEAM specialist at Camp Trivera. “Thanks to the generosity of Devon Energy and the Ripken Foundation, we’re giving girls the tools and confidence to dream bigger and pursue futures in STEM.”
From 3D printers and Snap Circuits to Indi Cars and Bee-Bots, the new space is equipped with interactive learning tools that make STEM engaging and accessible, turning curiosity into capability. Each piece of technology is supported by lesson plans and educator training developed by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to ensure long-term success.
“STEM is at the core of Devon’s work and success, and we know how important it is to expose students to these concepts early,” said Catherine Oster, mid-continent asset manager at Devon Energy and former president of Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma. “We’re proud to partner in creating a space where girls can explore, lead, and build a strong foundation for the future. Girls don’t always see women in STEM, so by doing this, by investing in this, coupled by our wall of women, they can go and see women in these professions and know that it’s possible.”
This Center marks another milestone in a growing initiative. To date, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Devon Energy have helped install over 190 STEM Centers across five states, bringing our total to 745 STEM Centers in 25 states. The Camp Trivera location uniquely reflects the shared mission of the three organizations: to foster curiosity, leadership, and confidence in young women by giving them access to high-quality STEM education. Through this Center, we hope to ignite a lifelong love of science, technology, engineering, and math in girls, and to equip them with the tools and confidence to lead in those fields.
“We believe every child deserves access to educational resources that inspire and empower them,” said Elise Lee, senior vice president of resource development at the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. “We’re honored to help bring this STEM Center to life for the Girl Scouts at Camp Trivera.”
With every button pressed, robot coded, and designed imagined, these girls aren’t just learning but growing. Together, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Devon Energy, and Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma are opening doors, and minds, to a future where every girl has the opportunity to lead, create, and thrive.
~end~
-
Reach and Impact
Reach & Impact
In 2024, the Ripken Foundation collaborated with 1,237 schools, local youth-serving partners and law enforcement agencies in 484 communities in 47 states and Washington, D.C. to impact over 1.4 million youth. The Ripken Foundation Portal, which gives mentors access to our program curriculum guides, impacted 410,738 of those youth. In addition, we now have 745 STEM Centers completed in 25 states and Washington, D.C. giving over 315,000 kids the early exposure and hands-on opportunity to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
-
Mentoring
Mentoring
In 2024, over 35,000 coaches, law enforcement officers, teachers, volunteers, and other youth mentors worked with the kids in our programs. Badges for Baseball, our signature crime prevention and mentoring program, impacted 30,289 kids in 122 communities.
-
Youth Development Parks
Youth Development Parks
We’re adding more of our signature Youth Development Parks every year—creating safe places to play and renewing community pride.
Score Big with Our Resource Portal
Create your free account to access a stellar lineup of positive youth development resources. You will find easy-to-use training materials, videos, and other tools to help coaches and mentors make a lasting difference.
Testimonials
We love to hear how the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has positively impacted the lives of our mentors and at-risk youth. If you have a positive experience with the Foundation that you would like to share, please submit a story. You might be featured below or on our social media outlets!
-
“”I remember meeting Ernie Graham on the second day of the CRSF Summer Camp and listening to the story he told us about how he went from rags to riches to rags. I can honestly say that the summer camp was the reason I came back to school and decided to become a smart athlete.
Cornell PowellFormer Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Summer Camp Participant -
“”The Badges for Baseball program was a 100% law enforcement participation program and the kids that participated were at-risk kids who would never speak or communicate with the police. That has changed drastically, these kids now run up to the police cruisers and they want to talk to the police.
Sgt. Randy ShawStafford County, Virginia -
“”The Badges for Baseball program has yielded results that were unforeseen. The relationships made will be lifelong and the Green Bay Police Department is eager to continue on with the program.
Officer Kevin WarychGreen Bay Police Department -
“”This CRSF camp trip was packed with “first’s” for most of the members that joined me: it was the first time these members traveled out of state and for some, the first time at a baseball camp. Although the camp was loaded with memories, what stuck with my group of boys the most was the bonding they had with our roommates after all the activities were done.
BJ KolbBoys and Girls Club of Green Bay -
“”I can remember back to my first day in the Badges for Baseball program. The police officers were amazing, coming out to all the practices and games. They had a big influence on me, and because of them, I am now studying to become a police officer at Fox Valley Tech in Appleton, Wisconsin. It wouldn’t have been possible without Badges for Baseball.
Alex StewardFormer Badges for Baseball Participant -
“”I have seen students come out of their shells, they are answering questions, they are building relationships with police officers and it is a very positive program in the schools.
Tricia WinklerPrincipal, Lima South Science-Technology Magnet -
“”Although our gym can be quite chaotic during the Badges for Baseball program, it has been rewarding to see the kids practice sportsmanship and leadership during games. I've had multiple students ask me, ‘Can we come back every day?’ It's questions like those that make all the chaos worthwhile.
Carrie MarshMentor, Y of Central Maryland
Sponsors
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is grateful for the support of the generous sponsors who share our vision and make our work possible.
