Trying To Score the PERFECT Camp Experience Lacrosse Camps & Sports Camps for Girls on the Rise BY neil brett  Ian Helmus - Bay State West School of Excellence Mass. Premier Soccer As the snow and cold, biting winter winds of March give way to softer spring breezes, the countdown to June and the anticipation of balmy summer days occupies both parents and children alike. For children, summer is a reprieve from school bells and homework assignments - and time for endless hours of play. Conversely, parents of school-age children are faced with the formidable task of keeping their children active, happy and safe. And because many parents work, legions of kids disperse all over Massachusetts to sports camps and structured activities. But when it comes time to choose what camp and sport, navigating the overabundance of choice can seem as easy as kayaking down white water rapids without a paddle. Lucy Norvell, director of public information for the American Camping Association of New England in Lexington, sympathizes with parents. And judging from the glut of parent inquiries Norvell receives each year, traditional sports camps like soccer, basketball, baseball/ softball, and ice hockey remain time-honored and well attended. Pro Ambitions Added to that mix is the fact that some kids prefer a sport that affords the opportunity to express their individuality - along with an extra rush of adrenaline, a quality inherent in the X-treme sports arena. "General interest camps have a history of offering what is of current interest to children," Norvell said, noting, for example, the widespread installation of climbing walls or ropes courses where a multitude of sports - traditional and non-traditional - and are sometimes made available to youngsters under the auspices of an independent camp. Some non-profit settings like a YMCA or a local Girl Scout council may often run week-long sports and general camps throughout the summer. Although the American Camp Association does not track trends, lacrosse is one sport making significant inroads, especially among girls, Norvell said. It is Stephanie Ridolfi, head coach of women's lacrosse, at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, objective to promote the game. As director of a week-long camp/clinic, held on the college's campus, her aim is to introduce girls, age 10 and older, to the lacrosse experience. Red Auerbach Basketball School "We are doing our best in trying to cater to beginners as well as the experienced (player)," she said. Ridolfiis frank, though, in admitting that lacrosse is fast and sometimes hard-hitting. "There is a lot of rough play out there," she said, adding that her coaching staff stresses the fundamentals and correct play. "If it gets rough in practice, the play can be easily corrected by our coaches." "We also make sure the girls wear all the equipment (including) their mouth guard and goggles. And when the coaches officiate during games, we are diligent about teaching the proper rules," she said. In comparison to lacrosse, basketball is not as hard-hitting or as unfamiliar. It is still more common to see kids dribbling a basketball, than cradling a hard rubber ball with a lacrosse stick. And for 49 years, hordes of youngsters have flocked to Cape Cod and the Red Auerbach Basketball School. Red Auerbach Basketball School Steve Curley, school director, said his camps have always drawn well over the years. "We draw from all the New England states and last year had kids from Texas, Arizona, Georgia, D.C., and most of the eastern seaboard." Ironically, the weakness of the American dollar and the school's reputation has drawn larger numbers of Europeans to the camp, Curley added. But that economic blade has the potential to cut twice, and as a byproduct of an economic downturn, could derail opportunities for some kids in Massachusetts. "We are a for-profit camp," Curley said, "but (we) try not to say no to anyone because of money. We take no one for free, because we also feel it would make our camp unimportant, but we do things on an individual basis and work with people to help." While a lack of money won't stop Curley from working with parents and their youngsters, a lack of focus just might. "The trend for parents to overschedule their youngsters has created the need, in my mind, for simple down time, especially in the summer," Curley said. "We discourage any youngster from coming if they are involved with another activity. Summer should be for fun and not running from one adult scheduled program to the next. That is the beauty of regular camps where a youngster can go for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks and just be a kid with no concerns." If focus or money is a concern, some camps might be out of reach. Both are needed if your yearning is to escape the heat, go indoors, strap on a pair of skates, and kick ice. Former NHL professional, Jeff Serowik won't kid you. As founder and president of Pro Ambitions since 1990, he knows his camps are expensive. He also feels they are worth every penny. "We are on the high side of camp prices, but we also offer more than any of our competitors," he said. He considers his Dover-based Pro Ambitions as the Mercedes of the hockey camp business. "Parents will do what they can to give their son or daughter a great opportunity to attend a day or boarding camp, even if they have to borrow from grandparents or other family members." The settings are as diverse as they are challenging. Serowik offers settings from an all-girl day camp at NESC ice rink in Marlboro to an "Outward Bound" like setting in Manchester, Vermont. But you just might find any number of Pro Ambitions kids skating at arenas from Cape Cod to North Shore. Like lacrosse, Serowik is seeing more girls drawn to hockey every year. "Girls hockey is growing by leaps and bounds," he said, "(and) since I brought in former Olympian Kim Insalaco to run the girls division three years ago, we have developed a strong following of repeat customers." To meet the growth in girls hockey Serowik has opened his boarding camps as a day option. "This is also a more affordable way for girls to attend," he said. As an involved parent, Christine Phelan, of Medfield, said watching her 8-year-old daughter, Camille, flourish as a hockey player has been a pleasure. "Initially, Camille felt intimidated because she didn't know anyone else attending and was just beginning to develop her skills. The coaches sensed this and paid special attention to making her feel comfortable," Christine said. "She is now extraordinarily confident on the ice and is completely uninhibited when skating with players of any age or skill level." A confidence that has transcended beyond the ice rink, said her mother. "Camille is rarely intimidated and has developed a valuable capability to interact confidently with adults," Christine said. "This ability has contributed not only to her success in hockey, but has translated into better performance in school and in other sports." For Camille, skating and hockey are their own rewards - and a little praise doesn't hurt either. "I like to play the games and skate a lot," she said. "I enjoy skating backwards and to practice the drills I learned with my Rollerblades. I feel good when I work hard and the coaches tell me I did a great job." Julianne and David Edson of Beverly, believe sending their 8-year-old son, Paul, to hockey camp has made a world of difference and worth the investment. "He has learned how to win the oneon one battles against the boards and his backwards skating has come far in a short time," said mother, Julianne. "He is challenged every time he steps on the ice. The positive reinforcement and coaching style at these camps has given Paul the confidence to develop not only as a hockey player but as a person, too." For Jeff, playing hockey simply rocks. "I like the awesome drills we do and the kids that I meet are very respectful," Paul said. "Jeff and the other coaches make us work wicked hard. They are the best!" Neil Brett is a freelance writer from North Grafton. This is his first article for Bay State Parent magazine. Ask About Safety Whether it's BMX, go karts, skateboarding, inline skating, rock climbing, or an activity dedicated to an individual sport your child is seeking this summer, safety should be a deciding factor, said Lucy Norvell, director of public information, for the American Camping Association of New England.   She strongly urges parents to investigate a camp's credibility, the qualifications of their staff, the ratio of children to coaches, what certifications the camp holds, and, most importantly, their safety record. "If a camp has a horseback riding or an equestrian program, ACA (American Camp Association) standards require the use of helmets," she said. "Informally, our advice to parents would be to visit camps when children are present, attend open houses, tour the facilities and interview camp administrators." To meet that need, the ACA has two links addressing issues of safety and what parents should look for and ask of camp directors. www.campparents.org/funsafety.php and www.campparents.org/safetytips.php. RESOURCES • Soccer: www.mpsbr.com • Ice Hockey: www.proambitions.com, www.rbhockey.com • Baseball: www.rbiacademy.com • Lacrosse: www.laxcamps.com, www.merestead.com, http://goholycross.cstv.com Call: (508) 793-3682 or E-mail: sridolfi@holycross.edu • Basketball (girls): www.behncamp.com • Basketball http://superhoopcamps.com/ • General Interest www.acacamps.org, www.kidscamps.com, www.mysummercamps.com