Girls Camp Promises More Than Lacrosse Skills

Getting and keeping kids involved in team sports is a challenge for many parents — and even more so for parents of girls.

"Researchers have found that anywhere from 30-70% of kids drop out of sports by the time they are 13 years old, and the number one reason why they quit is that they aren't having any fun," notes Dr. Richard D. Ginsburg, sport psychology consultant.

Laura Gump, the co-founder of Sum It Up For Girls Lacrosse — based in Summit, NJ — started the company in 2007 to offer summer camps and clinics that would encourage teamwork and promote positive self-esteem among young girls. Above all, her emphasis is to teach the skills of lacrosse through games and activities designed to remind the girls that sports are supposed to be fun.

Now in its fifth year, Gump has seen over 1,000 girls in Kindergarten through 8th grade go through her programs.  

Sum it Up for Girls offers its camps in Summit, Berkeley Heights, Chatham and Short Hills beginning June 8 and continuing through mid-August.  

Said Kim Goldsmith-N'Diaye of Sum it Up, the camp "is geared to building the 'Whole Girl' through positive coaching and creative programming."

"The camp‘s focus is on beginner and intermediate players who want to explore the fun of developing their skills in lacrosse while enjoying a range of activities that build team spirit and self-confidence."

Caroline Pence of Summit, NJ, had this to say: "Sum It Up for Girls is as much about having fun and feeling good about yourself as it is about learning lacrosse skills. It is so much more than a sports clinic — the dynamic coaching staff is truly invested in the girls as individuals and works with each one to bring out their strengths and build their confidence."  
 
As a non-profit, the majority of Sum It Up coaches earn community service hours. Gump says that she trains all of her coaches to understand the delicate balance between fun and learning, where positive reinforcement plays an important part in each practice plan.

“Laura Gump's coaching philosophy strives to plant seeds of encouragement and confidence with each player.  Laura's refreshing approach of teaching lacrosse has been carefully implemented with her entire coaching staff. Your daughter will learn to love the sport and love herself,” shares Andrea Becker, another mom from Summit.

Camps will be offered in five different locations in June, July and August: Kent Place School in Summit; Far Brook School in Short Hills; Upper Tatlock in Summit; Columbia Field in Berkeley Heights and Chatham Day School in Chatham.  Financial assistance and scholarships are available. Please contact Laura Gump at sumitupforgirls@gmail.com.

To learn more about Sum It Up For Girls upcoming Summer Camps visit the website at www.sumitupforgirls.com or call 908-477-4239.