http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2008/06/27/smitty-camp-days/
I have been reminiscing about lacrosse camp the past few days since I have been working at the All-Star Camp in Flagstaff, AZ. There are some very memorable things about camp. Here are some of my favorites:
Best Parts
1. Camp store-When I was a junior in high school, I wore a variety of lacrosse t-shirts to school every day for the whole year. The only exception was when I had to wear my jersey for football games. Even then I usually had a lax t-shirt underneath. So you know I was visiting the camp store every chance I got to reload on lacrosse t-shirts and shorts. I probably had all the good ones from Lax World in the late 1990s.
2. Fastest shot-While I never had a really fast shot, I still think breaking out the radar gun is one of the funner things you can do at camp. I always like watching kids shoot on the gun when I work at camps.
3. Longest pass- The All-America camp was the only one that I went to that did this contest. Its a good idea. Line up everyone on one side of the field and see how far they can chuck the ball. Nice and easy!
4. Give-aways-Most camps give out the latest stick as part of going to camp. I remember at the All America camp it was the STX Raptor. Which was a piece of junk! I am sure some camps manage to get good sticks though. Plus its a free stick, you can’t complain too much about that. Other good things to get are the camp jersey, and water bottles.
5. Cafeterias-One of the best things ever invented. I love going to cafeterias. It was definitely a perk of going to a private college and having to stay in a dorm for four years. Nothing like unlimited chicken nuggets, pizza, and chocolate milk. The soft-serve machine is pretty clutch too!
6. Post session movies- I remember at the end of the day at Champ Camp there were some good movies in the commons room. One of them was Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Two words…Phoebe Cates! Another one was Slapshot. Good way to relax after a day of playing lacrosse.
7. Staying in dorms-Another reason why I liked college so much. I actually liked living in a dorm. I would love to go back to those days. I look to any opportunity I can get to stay in a dorm room for a few nights.
8. Games-The best part of the actual camp is playing games. I like camp games because its old school lax. Two way middies, run and gun, no time serving penalties. If there was a fantasy lacrosse camp for adults I would be all over it!
Worst Parts
1. Drills-Most drills at lacrosse camp are tedious and unnecessary. Most of the things that are taught the kids will forget in a week. I do like doing full field and transition drills though.
2. Running-I remember having to run laps at the All-America Camp. Not what I want to do with my $$$. There are better ways to condition, like doing full field drills.
3. Lights Out/Wake Up-I hated having some random dude knock on my door at night and in the morning. The coach at the All-America camp had a golf club. I have always been pretty good about getting up on time, so the theatrics were a bit excessive to me.
4. Roommates-I am one of those people who hates living with strangers. So being forced to share a room with someone for any period of time is a pet peeve of mine. Plus, a few of my roommates at different camps would ditch sessions and stay out past curfew to smoke. Lacrosse camps were my main source of competition, so I wanted to be well rested and play my best. Even if it meant I wasn’t cool.
