HAFTR Hillel Day Camp hosts Mets players for summer fun

Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns hits it out of the park with events for summer campers.

HAFTR’s Hillel Day Camp connected aspiring athletes with current New York Mets in Lawrence on July 12.

Right fielder DJ Stewart and third baseman Mark Vientos, joined second- and third- graders at the day camp, which runs from June 27 to Aug. 20, for conversation, photos and signatures.

“I think everybody’s into sports, boys, girls of all ages,” Michael Sheinfeld of MDM Sports Marketing in Cedarhurst, the coordinating company, said. “These are the current players of today, not retired, they all know them, everybody knows them (Vientos is] a very popular player (it’s) just a fun time.”

Raphael Rubinov, a junior camp counselor and former camper, said that the Mets visit is an exciting day for all.

“I think this is fun for the kids because famous, famous athletes come,” Rubinov said.

Brandon Nimmo, Mets left fielder, second baseman Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty, Mets third baseman, currently with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets and former Met Dominic Smith, former, now the Red Sox first baseman visited in years past.

Sisters, Brook and Maddie Sheinfeld were thrilled to meet Stewart, as they both love the team.

“He’s one of my favorite players,” Brook said.

The special day at camp was not their first go around, meeting the professionals.

“I like meeting the Mets players and going to all the games and getting the ball signed,” Maddie said.

Stewart was happy to be there, despite the rainy weather, which subsided in time for the team’s game against the Colorado Rockies that night. The Mets won 7-6.

“I love giving back to the community,” Stewart said. “Obviously, I’m in New York playing and they support us, so I love coming back and supporting the kids and watching the future, future baseball players.”

Michael Malul, a camper, said one word came to mind when meeting Vientos, “boom.”

Issac Steinman, was star struck, he said.

“It felt amazing,” Steinman said.

Vientos eagerly welcomed campers to the folding table where he signed photos for them to bring home.

“I mean, this is awesome, especially because I was once a younger kid and I looked up to the athletes, especially baseball athletes,” Vientos said. “I feel like I enjoy doing this, because this is a once in a lifetime experience doing this, it means a lot to do that. It means a lot to the kids, it’s incredible to me too.”

Hillel Day Camp features various educational and entertainment based activities, some holiday themed. In the past, attendees have done arts and crafts, cooked and swam. Campers are part of sport clinics, celebrate Disney Day and Jersey day among other events.