North Kingstown Sports Camps: Girls Lacrosse

Lacrosse season doesn't kick off until the spring, but that didn't stop young athletes from participating in the final sports camp at North Kingstown High School. The girls lacrosse camp is run by Keith Higgins, coach of the NKHS state champion girls lacrosse team.

"We want the kids to learn the basics of the game and we work on the fundamentals of the game," Higgins said, who's run the camp for the past five to seven years.

There are drills throughout the week in order to teach them the game. This year they have a heavy amount of beginners, including many who have never held a lacrosse stick.

Toward the end of the week, there are more games and scrimmages during the camp. In the beginning, it focuses on teaching proper techniques and the fundamentals of the game.

"It is rewarding to see kids who just begin playing at the camp and then eventually play at the high school level," Higgins said. Julia Smiley, Meg Ziegler and Kelsey Porter were three kids of this year's championship team that first started playing the game at the camp.

Higgins serves as the camp's coordinator and has four to five counselors helping him run the camp. He communicates with the counselors and lets them know what is expected of them.

"It allows me to see and interact with all of the kids," he said.

"There are contests throughout the week and on Friday we recognize some of the kids' efforts," Higgins added, speaking of the Friday awards ceremony that ends the camp.

For those who just want to begin playing the game or those trying to improve their skills this camp is a great opportunity to learn the game and get better at it.