Lacrosse Summer League, Academy, Camp Offered In Glen Burnie

GLEN BURNIE, MD — Former professional lacrosse player Brad Reppert along with former college football player Josh Byrom will be overseeing Sweatin Moose, a summer league, lacrosse academy and camp for area youth players with a focus on a Canadian box lacrosse-style of training and playing. The program will be available to boys ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade and will be held at both the indoor and outdoor sports fields at the new Moose Athletic Club located at 1911 Crain Highway.

“We specifically chose a Canadian box style of training and play based on its emphasis on navigating small spaces, the development of finely-tuned stick skills and the smaller field size that improves athletic quickness,” Reppert said. “Every level of lacrosse has moved in that direction including the trimmed down midfield in the Premier Lacrosse League that compresses play, the World Lacrosse Sixes league and the use of box lacrosse training techniques by major college and high school teams. Our affiliation with Hero’s Lacrosse, which for so many years served as the breeding ground for high quality lacrosse players in the Anne Arundel County region is a natural one. We intend to leverage the club’s brand name recognition, influence in the local youth lacrosse community and extensive contacts to quickly grow this program.”

Formerly the Moose Lodge and Family Center, the 30,000-square-foot building was transformed into a multi-functional indoor sports facility featuring a 6,500-square-foot turf box arena and 3,900-square-foot turf training area in addition to a fitness and weight room and locker room facility.

The Sweatin Moose program begins June 7 with the session extending to July 22 with training and games. The competition will consist of a 4 x 4 configuration on the indoor fields and a 6 x 6 format on the outdoor facilities to replicate the tighter spaces found in the Canadian box lacrosse concept. The following schedule will be utilized.

• Kindergarten and first grade: Tuesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Second and third grade: Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Fourth and fifth grade: Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sixth and seventh grade: Monday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Eighth grade: Monday and Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Plans are also underway for a Training Moose Lacrosse Academy focusing on individual skill development using a variety of high-repetition drills to promote muscle memory, utilizing both Canadian box lacrosse and American Field lacrosse skills. This summer’s Hybrid Moose Summer Camp is configured as an instructional, competitive and interactive experience targeting scholastic athletes. This camp will also provide opportunities to play both Canadian box lacrosse and traditional outdoor field lacrosse focusing on maximizing basic fundamentals and decision-making skills.

Local high school lacrosse players will be involved to earn community hours credit when providing coaching instruction and mentorship to the youth players. Players are expected to participate from Archbishop Spalding, Gilman School, St. Mary’s School, Severn School as well as a number of other Baltimore-area private and Anne Arundel County public schools.

“Every decision we make is based on how we can positively impact area youth, instill important principles such as teamwork and a solid work ethic, as well as stressing the importance of developing a healthy mind and body,” Reppert added. “That is why it was so critical to integrate high school student-athletes into this program which serve as important role models to the younger players. It works both ways and we are certain the older students will have memorable and valuable experiences when giving back.”