Nearly 40 community leaders—including early childhood professionals, K–12 school administrators and teachers, nonprofit leaders, university representatives, and funders—joined Ball Brothers Foundation last month for a day-long Outdoor Learning Field Trip exploring innovative outdoor play and learning spaces across Delaware County.

The relationship between the Ball family and the YMCA of Muncie spans more than a century—deeply rooted in a shared belief in the power of community, character, and opportunity. 

Muncie’s first YMCA opened its doors in 1875, operating out of churches and homes before eventually renting space at Charles and Walnut Streets. For decades, community leaders hoped for a more permanent facility—but it wasn’t until 1911 that the dream began to take shape. That year, the Ball brothers pledged funds toward a new YMCA building, encouraging the community to raise an additional $50,000 to bring the project to life. 

Earlier this month, Ball Brothers Foundation’s board of directors, associate directors, and staff gathered together for a retreat at Camp Crosley along the shores of Little Tippy (James Lake) in North Webster, Indiana. Established over 100 years ago, Camp Crosley has been near and dear to the Ball family for generations and is a long-time grantee of the foundation.