We believe that leadership is more than giving directions; leadership is about one life influencing another. Leadership skills are pivotal for success on and off the field - whether it is the ability to lead a team through adversity, setting a positive example, or motivating and rallying individuals around a cause, they are all crucial for growth and development.
The Leadership Development Program (L.D.P.) provides high school and college volunteers an opportunity to coach alongside Homegrown senior staff at a variety of programs and events throughout the year, the biggest being the Homegrown Summer Camps in July. L.D.P. counselors gain confidence in their coaching ability and develop a better understanding of lacrosse from a new perspective. This translates to greater on-field skills and expands to life skills off the field.
In addition to facilitating the development of the next generation of coaches, the program allows counselors the opportunity to create lasting relationships with other L.D.P. counselors as well as the youth lacrosse players they coach. During summer camp, counselors will lead groups of 6-10 players at a time.
"My favorite part of the leadership development program is being able to play and coach the sport that I love all day, every day. There isn't really anything else like it, where boys and girls from literally all ages get to be together for a week and eat, sleep, breathe, lacrosse. The community and atmosphere is so great and that's why I come back!" - Annie Dorelien (2023 L.D.P.)
"Being a part of the L.D.P. program has helped me not only with my social and leadership skills, but also my problem solving skills on and off the field. And of course it was lots of fun." - Christopher Tornell (2021 - 2023 L.D.P.)
"Being an LDP Counselor taught me different ways to motivate others. Throughout the summer I was able to learn about different types of leadership and practice these skills with the help of the Homegrown Senior Staff." - Thijs Larson (2017 - 2019 L.D.P.)
"I was given more responsibility which allowed me to grow into the role of a more active leader." - Sam Hauser (2016 - 2019 L.D.P.)
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
To qualify for the program, applicants must:
Location: University of St. Thomas
The 2024 LDP Counselor Application will open in Jan-Feb 2024
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Head Program Director
Phone: 651-955-1704
Training sessions attendance is required for all LDP Counselors. If counselors are not able to attend, they are responsible for learning the covered material on their own time.
2023 Training Sessions:
Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS) training:
On-campus logistics training sessions (choose 1):
We offer volunteer counselors a stipend for their service at camp. To receive the stipend, the counselor must meet the following requirements:
Training Chart - Per Week |
|||
Years of LDP Service | 0-2 years | 3-4 years | 5+ years |
Rising College Senior | $350.00 | Senior Staff* | Senior Staff* |
Rising College Junior | $350.00 | Senior Staff* | Senior Staff* |
Rising College Sophomore | $300.00 | $350.00 | Senior Staff* |
Rising College Freshman | $250.00 | $300.00 | N/A |
HS | Volunteer | Volunteer | N/A |
*Pending Homegrown Staff member approval