The Top Girl's Lacrosse Recruiting Camps for 2012
After hundreds of requests for a Girl’s Recruiting Camp Guide over the past year, we worked with club directors, former players and college coaches to put together a list of the top five options for recruiting camps or showcases for your daughter. As I am writing, players have already started receiving invitations to Elite 120 and are applying to Northeast 215 or Nike Top of the Class.
Purchasing one of the packages below will ensure your son or daughter is going to the right events based on his or her target schools. As a LacrosseRecruits.com Gold Member, you also ensure you are doing the right things heading into each recruiting event. Remember, you do not go to recruiting events to be discovered. You go to be seen by schools that already know about you, but want to see more.
Our Girl's Lacrosse Camp Guide
This guide is a valuable resource for parents and players who are trying to decide which camps are worth attending. Each lacrosse recruiting camp review has three sections. The first section, or “summary”, is information taken from the lacrosse recruiting camp’s website. This provides a general overview of the recruiting camp. The second, or “overheard”, section features the perspective of players and coaches. This section provides a first-hand view of the lacrosse recruiting camp. In the final section, “our take”, The LacrosseRecruits.com experts provide their perspective on which players can benefit most from that specific lacrosse recruiting camp.
Elite 120 Showcase
January
Randolph, NJ
http://www.elite120.com/
Summary: Elite 120 is designed for players looking to be the best in their class and compete at the highest level! The best college coaches in the country will be in attendance as evaluators. The Elite 120 is a new and highly unique event. Several factors differentiate the Elite 120 from other events. First, all athletes will be trained in an NFL-style speed and agility training session run by the nationally renowned Parisi Speed School including a 40-yard dash, vertical jump, 5-10-5 shuttle run & 300-yard shuttle run. Your scores will be made available immediately following the speed and agility training.
Overheard: “I verbally committed not long after attending this showcase last year. The tournament was some of the best competition I’ve played against in awhile and I was very happy with my choice to attend.” (D1 Commit)
Our Take: Elite 120 is the girls showcase equivalent to the well known boys Jake Reed Blue Chip showcase. It is the premier winter showcase. Last year, the college coach sign-in sheet had 45+ big name schools on it from all over the nation. As an invitation-only showcase, this tournament is setup to get the best players in the nation on the field at the same time. If invited, players should definitely attend this showcase.
*If you did not receive an invitation in the mail, but would like to be considered for enrollment in Elite 120, please email charlie@elite120.com with a lacrosse resume and club and high school coach references.*
Elite 180 Camp
July
Keene, NH (Keene State College)
http://www.elite180lax.com/girls-recruiting-camp.php
Summary: The camp enrollment is limited in order to keep player to coach ratio at a level that allows the coaches to get multiple exposures to each of the players. What further separates the recruiting experience at Elite 180 from the many others out there, is the attention that we pay to giving student/athletes the complete recruiting picture. We follow up these events on the last night with an admissions person from a NESCAC school who provides important nuts and bolts information about college applications, Early Decision vs Regular, and answers so many other common questions that future college applicants may have.
Overheard: “Elite 180 provides a wonderful perception of DIII lacrosse, as well as the ability to play competitively. This camp was beneficial for me during my recruiting process and I would definitely recommend it to other high school student athletes.” (Current NESCAC Student-Athlete)
Our Take: Elite 180 caters to players who are interested in playing DIII lacrosse at a Most Selective Academic School. It really gives coaches a feel for a player on and off of the field. It is a great choice for a player who is trying to get recruited by these programs.
Nike Top of the Class Girls Showcase
July
Governor's Academy Byfield, Massachusetts
http://www.ussportscamps.com/lacrosse/nike/nike-top-of-the-class-lacrosse-camp
Summary: This showcase camp differs from most in that each camper will receive individual instruction from each college coach in small station groups during camp. The showcase program focuses on advanced skills, position play, team concepts and an overall intense level of competition. Night games will be coached by the college coaches where you will get the opportunity to work with them in a competitive team atmosphere.
Overheard: “If you are looking to play at the highest level, I would suggest this showcase. It was a great opportunity for my daughter to show some top level academic and athletic schools what she had to offer.”
Our Take: Coaches from Harvard, Stanford and UNC have joined together for this showcase which allows for rising seniors, juniors and sophomores to display their skills. The perk to this showcase, is that it is limited to uncommitted student athletes and therefore, each player has an opportunity to be seen. If you are interested in a wider variety of schools this may not be the best fit.
Northeast 215
June
http://www.northeasttop215.com/
Summary: The Northeast Top 215 puts you in direct contact with some of the best minds in women’s lacrosse while giving you the opportunity to separate yourself from the 2000+ players that make up the national 2014 and 2015 classes! For three days you will eat, train and play as a collegiate athlete. You will work directly with the staff and be instructed in high-level technical and tactical components of the game. During the afternoons and evenings, teams will battle for the championship title of The 2012 Northeast Top 215. Late evening is comprised of breakout sessions, tactical sessions, guest speakers and on one of the nights, an all event surprise! (A list of committed coaches can be found on the website)
Overheard: “I found this camp to be extremely beneficial during my recruiting process. NT215 pulled coaches from the Northeast and beyond. It gave me the exposure I needed with some top schools. I’d recommend it to any high school player looking to play competitively at the next level.”
Our Take: With a variety of D1 coaches and a D3 presence, this camp is a strong fit for those players who are looking for a future with an academically and athletically competitive school, especially in the Northeast. The limitation of spots allows for players to receive a more personalized experience in terms of attention and direct coaching. This summer will be the 2nd year of the camp and given the exposure and personal attention, I expect that the event will sell out quickly.
Northstar Invitational
OVERHEARD:
“Northstar will allow coaches to evaluate the hand-selected young talent from across the country, all in one prime location. The structure and format of Northstar allows coaches to watch and evaluate athletes across all different aspects of the game. I look forward to seeing the highest level of talent in what promises to be one of the most competitive environments within the women’s recruiting landscape. Northstar provides the perfect opportunity for young girls who are invited to showcase their abilities, and ultimately bring their game to the highest level.”
Super Sophs (only for 2014s)
New Canaan, CT - July
http://supersophslacrosse.com/
Summary:
A one day showcase allows the top players to compete at the end of the summer when Division 1 coaches are focused on Rising Juniors. The event is kept to 200 players so each player gets a chance to showcase their skills in front of college coaches. Players and their parents participate in a recruiting seminar, a SPARQ combine, and then play games. Each player has access to game film from each game throughout the day.
Overheard:
"CT Super Sophs provided that us everything that we needed to move forward in the recruiting process. From exposure to college coaches, to a great recruiting Q & A session, to very good game film that we have used for our highlight reel."
Our Take:
Disclaimer: LacrosseRecruits.com is involved with organizing this event. (We are not being biased... I promise) This is the first year of this event. In the past, we only offered this event for boys. It has been a great day of lacrosse and allows players to play in front of college coaches in an intimate environment. As the parent said above, the event gives a player everything they need to approach the recruiting process going into September of their Junior year. Coaches come through to watch players complete on two adjacent fields.
Invitations for this showcase go out in October. Unlike camps like Top 205 or Blue Chip 225, registration is limited. To apply for an invite, please visit http://supersophslacrosse.com/girls-application/
Triple Threat Lacrosse Camp
June
Alexandria, VA (Episcopal High School)
http://www.triplethreatlaxcamp.com/HOME_PAGE.html
Summary: Designed for the advanced and experienced player going into grades 10-12. This is an intensive and demanding 4 day lacrosse camp which will focus on higher level skills, strategies and techniques used at the college level. Campers are divided by age and ability level. This is an ideal venue for the elite player preparing for the college game.
Overheard: “I have sent a number of my players to this camp. It is a high octane camp where girls get better over 4 days. It is also nice that the coaches on staff are so hands on.”
Our Take: A solid showing of DI coaches attend this camp, as well as a several DIII coaches. The staff is made up of southern schools. It is a good chance to put one’s playing abilities out there for various levels of collegiate coaches to see.