Ariel played with her toy campfire set by home plate of Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, a gift presented her during the Make-A-Wish_® Northeast New York Walk For Wishes_® Opening Ceremonies. The 3-year-old was unaware of what was happening virtually right in front of her.

The crowd of more than 600 began inching their way toward the infield grass and off the warning track that rings the field of play. The people were making room for a pickup truck that ever-so-slowly pulled a brand-new pop-up camper — Ariel’s wish — into the ballpark.

Eventually, Ariel’s grandfather and guardian Stephen took her hand, the crowd parted, and the young girl at last saw her wish. Beaming, she made her way inside, imagining the outdoor adventures that lie ahead.

“She loves being by the fire,” Stephen said. “She loves being in the outdoors.”

(The camper is now parked in the family’s side yard. Stephen later said that between the mid-August Walk and October he and Ariel have camped out overnight three or four times, and used the camper many more days and evenings.)

As the Walk For Wishes Opening Ceremonies continued, Ariel sat down on the infield and had a pretend cookout right in front of the camper. It was a gorgeous Saturday for a campout, in a beautiful park. In other words, just what she imagined.