Starting out the list at number ten is the food. Our camps take place at the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, MN, where we have the privilege of dining in their recently completed cafeteria known as “The View.”  Stir Fry? Check. Pasta? Check. Build your own ice cream cone? Double Check. The possibilities are endless. One camper responded to the question of what was your favorite part of camp with simply, “FOOD!.”

Next on the list are the Counselors. More specifically the LDP counselors, who are volunteer high school and collegiate players. The purpose of our LDP program is to provide young players an opportunity to gain confidence in their teaching ability and also to develop as a leader. Players and LDP counselors really form a bond throughout camp and it is no more evident than during the "Counselor Panel."  This portion of camp takes place on the last day when the LDP counselors gather in front of the campers who are allowed to ask any questions they want. From “What is your go-to dodge?” to “What kind of shampoo do you use?” it is a fun and valuable experience for all involved.

Coming in at number eight is “Choose Your Own Adventure”. This camp favorite allows players to pave their own way and allows for Staff / LDP Counselors to share the games and skills they are most passionate about. Each afternoon campers choose from a fresh menu of diverse elective options that run the gamut from specialized skill stations like Sniper Series, Scorpion Series, "Witness the Fitness" and Face-Offs to unstructured game options like Ultimate Lacrosse or Chumash. Players can even opt to connect with nature via a hike along the Mississippi or take a break from lacrosse with the recess station. 

Exclusive to the overnight camps is staying in the dorms. The Middle School and High School camps all offer the opportunity to stay on campus throughout the entirety of the camp and the results of this are pretty special. Players get a taste of living on their own and get to form a bond with players from all over the country. 

What's the best way to cool down from a long day of playing lacrosse? Playing more lacrosse... on a slip n' slide. A youth day camp staple of the week is Slip n' Lax where players get the chance to showcase their balance, slipping, and sliding, all while playing lacrosse with mini sticks. The game ends with a freestyle slide to showcase your own personal slip n' slide style.

This is arguably one of our most unforgettable “Choose Your Own Adventure” options, the “Nature Walk .” Our coaches take campers through the woods and down to the Mississippi River Bluffs for a chance of discovery and reflection. Campers get to embrace nature by encountering things like an epic view of the Minneapolis skyline and a hidden waterfall.

Making the list at number four is the "Tournament of Campions". The tournament requires courage and skill. Campers, Counselors, and Staff are divided into four teams that compete throughout the week in everything from full-field games, dance contests, and competitive ball-hunts (a Senior Staff favorite...). The team atmosphere is where relationships among players really strengthen. These games get pretty intense and it is fun to see the teams come together throughout the course of the camp.

The third on the countdown is enrichment. The enrichment sessions take place every day after lunch and are meant to encourage growth not only as a lacrosse player, but also as a well-rounded person. Homegrown's core values are Character, Confidence, and Community. Campers can participate in sessions that embody all these values, including goal-setting, team-building, yoga, mindfulness and reflection, sports psychology, and other age-group-specific character development topics. 

Coming in at number two is the growth that takes place at camp. At the beginning of each camp, we challenge each camper to be a sponge - to soak in as much knowledge as they can over the course of their time at camp, and they do. The strides that campers take with stick skills, shooting, defending and lacrosse I.Q. are impressive. It is truly rewarding for all involved to hear feedback from parents about the growth in their child's game after they leave camp. 

Topping the list of the Top 10 Reasons We Love Summer Camp is… the fun. There is a reason why people travel from all across the United States (and Canada!) to come to our camps. From choose your own adventure, nature walks, enrichment, counselor panels, games, and activities, we have something for everyone at camp. It is evident that Homegrown summer camps are unlike most lacrosse camps you’ll encounter. Off-field sessions are just as important as the on-field sessions. The primary focus of camp is not only raising the level of lacrosse skill but also providing each individual camper an unforgettable experience.