Why should I attend Homegrown Lacrosse Summer Camp?

Our Summer Camps have been a staple of Minnesota lacrosse since 2004. Developed as some of Minnesota's first youth and high school lacrosse specific camps, Homegrown Lacrosse's philosophy focuses on building each player's strengths - physically and mentally. Homegrown Lacrosse engages and challenges players of all skill levels. 

Who is the staff of Homegrown Lacrosse Summer Camp?

The staff at our camps is made up of HG's Senior Staff who all have collegiate playing backgrounds and years of experience coaching at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels. We also have members on staff that are current/former college lacrosse players from universities across the country.

What is the camper:staff ratio?

We pride ourselves on giving each camper as much individual instruction as possible. As such, we strive to have one of the lowest camper to staff ratios in the country at 4:1. 

Are Homegrown Lacrosse Summer Camps geared for specific positions or all positions (Attack, Midfield, Defense, Goalie)?

We make sure that every position gets the individual attention it deserves. At our Summer Camps, each position has a number of position-specific coaches who have developed and coached intricate skills within the position. During on-field instruction, much of the time will be spent on position-specific drills and skills. 

Does my camper have to be a registered US Lacrosse member? Why?

Yes, each camper needs to have a USL membership for insurance purposes. 

Is my child safe at camp?

Keeping our campers safe is of the utmost importance to Homegrown Lacrosse. Each camper stays in a specified dorm room which is under staff supervision 24/7. More specifically, we have multiple staff members who are assigned to each floor and are responsible to oversee and monitor the campers. We also have a certified EMT on campus throughout the day and on-call at night.

What happens in case of an injury/emergency?

Homegrown Lacrosse will provide a certified EMT on campus throughout the day and on-call at night. Certified EMTs will provide campers assessments and treatments for injuries, illnesses, etc. If at any time during the duration of camp, a camper feels injured or ill, they are to immediately report to a staff member and they will direct the concern to the EMT. 

If treatment goes beyond our staff member's abilities the appropriate person(s) will be contacted. The University of St. Thomas has 24-hour security guards and on campus public safety attendants. For any other medical issues, Regions Hospital and United Hospitals are located approximately 10 minutes from the UST campus. 

Will my camper have fun at camp?

We certainly hope so! Our camps are designed with the primary goal of being fun. At the end of each Summer Camp, we send surveys out to campers asking them to reflect on their experience. Those surveys inspired our blog "Top Ten Reasons We Love Summer Camp". Check it out to see what past campers said were their favorite parts of camp. 

Can my camper bring / should my camper bring their cell phone?

We encourage campers not bring their phones to 'unplug' while at camp and focus on the experience. You can always call the camp director for updates and if your camper ever needs anything, we are more than happy to provide them with a phone to make a call.

My camper has special dietary restrictions - can this be accommodated?

Yes, absolutely. The chef and cafeteria staff at UST is phenomenal. There are plenty of vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-free options as well as peanut and tree nut free options. During registration, we will ask if your camper has any dietary restrictions and work with your camper to make sure they are eating properly. 

My child is brand new to lacrosse - is this camp 'okay' for them to attend?

Every lacrosse player ever has had a 'first day' of lacrosse. You have to start somewhere, right? Our camp is a great and welcoming place to start. Our camp staff and counselors are great at creating a welcoming environment to make sure every camper is challenged individually at their personal skill level. 

My child wants to play lacrosse in college - is this a good camp for them?

Short answer - yes. Long answer - there is not one camp, team, or coach that will get your child on a college lacrosse roster. Their work ethic and drive will determine that. 

When will I receive confirmation?

You should receive a confirmation receipt immediately after registering, if you have issues please contact camp director Kyle Fuller at kyle@homegrownlacrosse.org. A final logistics email will be sent out 1 week prior to the start of camp outlining: check-in process, what to bring to camp, medical forms, maps with directions, etc.

Is there a registration deadline? Do camps sell out? Is there a waiting list?

The registration deadline is posted on the main page. A late fee of $25 is applied to all registrations received thereafter. Registrations are accepted on the first-come-first-serve basis and camps do fill to capacity. We do also have a waiting list - we are able to accept names from the waitlist in case of cancellation.

What is your cancellation/refund policy?

See our Refund Policy page for specific details.

My child is a goalie - can we get a “goalie” discount for camp?

We don't provide goalie discounts for camp. Goalies actually receive really great coaching and in a fantastic coach to player ratio - usually 1:3. Morning sessions are reserved for position specific work - positions break out with coaches into groups and focus on concepts, skills, and mechanics directly related to their positions. If cost is a concern, please know that we provide scholarships for all of our individual registration programs to those in need. We would be happy to discuss that with you.

My child doesn’t want to miss their association team’s game or practices during the week - can I pick them up in the afternoon and drop them off after?

Short answer: yes, we will work with you to coordinate pick-up and drop-off times. Long answer: campers are encouraged to stay at camp during the entire duration of it, in hopes that they are able to create friendships with other campers from different associations and that really blossoms in the downtime spent in the dorms.

My child doesn’t want to stay overnight in the dorms during the overnight camps, is there an option for them?

We prefer and strongly encourage campers to stay overnight (about 95% do); however, we do have options for those who do not wish to stay overnight. To learn about the extended day camp option, email the Summer Camp Director.

What is enrichment and why is that important?

The daily enrichment sessions take place immediately after lunch and the content varies for each age group. During enrichment, we challenge campers to develop the mental aspect of their game and understand the importance of positive self-talk, in-game visualization, and mental toughness. Furthermore, enrichment serves to help campers learn about how to develop action plans to reach their goals. Campers also engage in topics including how to be a good teammate and what ideal traits make up a good lacrosse player. 

How many campers per room?

There will be 2 campers assigned per room. Each camper will have their own bed. 

What are the bed sheet sizes?

UST dorm beds are Twin XL-sized. Campers are asked to provide their own bed sheets for camp. Sleeping bags are also a great and efficient way to outfit your dorm bed for the week.

What happens if there is bad weather (thunderstorm, heat advisory, etc.)?

Homegrown Lacrosse Camps will train in rain and inclement weather at the discretion of HG staff. We will have access to indoor facilities at UST but availability varies. We will not train outside in lightning and severe weather including extremely high heat indexes. 

Where do overnight campers reside?

The overnight campers will remain on campus during the duration of camp. They will be housed in the Tommie North dormitories on the UST campus. 

Can I request roommates? And how are roommate requests honored?

In your online registration, include the name of one individual you would like to room with (the dorms are double occupancy). If you don't know someone prior to camp, you will be assigned a roommate at check-in. We will do our best to pair campers with their desired roommate but cannot make guarantees. 

Are there any activities outside of lacrosse sessions?

Absolutely! We make sure that fun does not end once the on-field sessions are over. We have a number of activities planned such as nature walks, stick stringing clinics, Spikeball, counselor panels and many others to make camp as enjoyable as possible. 

Will my player have an air-conditioned room?

Yes! The Tommie North dorm rooms at UST are air-conditioned. 

What happens if my camper loses their dorm key?

Lost dorm keys result in a $50 bill towards the camper's registration. 

Where is the University of St. Thomas (UST)?

The University of St. Thomas is located at 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105. 

What time is drop-off and pick-up times?

Parents will be responsible for dropping off their camper(s) as well as picking them up once camp has concluded. Parents are also responsible for transportation to and from outside engagements during the week of camp. There will be more specific information on drop off/pick up times and locations shared prior to camp.