Homegrown is not only expert in lacrosse but perhaps more significantly in setting core life standards in the development of your young man. Putting our player into Homegrown programming was like a breath of fresh air. Requiring him to figure out how to play the game with initial strangers is a key element in teaching a kid to become a true team player. Every HG coach I came across had the highest standards of integrity, plays the game and was an active role model for being highly conditioned and hard work. HG's mission to bring lacrosse training to the broadest scope of community often left me without words as this was as high a priority for them as training their teams and players to compete at the highest levels outside the state. Homegrown lacrosse is a diamond the the MN community.
Jacqui Bidgood
Former Secretary to YLM
My son has been attending Homegrown's Tuesday evening Boot Camp clinics in EP. He hasn't played lax long, but loves the game and is highly motivated to get better.
He had a conflict between a hockey practice and lax boot camp the other night, and I asked him which he wanted to attend. He said he thought that he should really go to hockey, because it was the first practice and he shouldn't miss. Given that he's 15 and a kid of very few words, it was pretty poignant when he added, with considerable emphasis, that he really didn't want to miss Homegrown. He said, "Mom, I learn SO much every night I go to Homegrown."
I remember that my older son has consistently had the same experience with Homegrown - absolutely loved it not just because it was fun, but because it really helped him get better - as a player and as a person. He attended Homegrown's sleep away camp at St Thomas for two summers and came away not only playing better (feeling more confident) but also talking about goals and personal integrity. His dad and I were like, wow, that was some camp!
My younger son attended a camp run by another MN lax group this past summer and frankly, it was awful. He hated it, said it was a waste of time, way too many kids enrolled, no real focus on the kids as individuals. They were running around the campus pointlessly, sitting around a lot, bad drills, etc. Very little value and we won't do it again and won't recommend it.
I guess my point is that kids attend these clinics and camps really because they want to work hard, get better, learn about themselves and improve their game. Homegrown guys provide all that and it's really, truly wonderful. It really is meaningful to these boys.
Homegrown lacrosse is an outstanding organization whose main objective is to help kids develop their skills and knowledge in a healthy competitive environment. Although our son has only played lacrosse for 2 years, we have been involved with different lacrosse organizations and Homegrown is far superior to any other organization we have been involved with!! The commitment of this organization to help kids is clearly evident, we look forward to continuing our relationship with them.
Homegrown Lacrosse has been a great addition to the lacrosse community here in the Midwest. Having five kids that all play lacrosse, this organization help guide and teach my kids the sportsmanship and respect to become well rounded players. The full field games and clinics are put on throughout the year. This has made many kids become better athletes and learned team respect with others. I have to say that Homegrown Lacrosse has served as a backbone to the lacrosse community by helping the game of lacrosse grow here in the Midwest. With the help of this organization, my kids have been blessed to be able to play in college and get scholarships to help out with the pricey tuition. Thanks for all you have done for our community.
Walstad Family
Homegrown Lacrosse has provided an amazing opportunities to the lacrosse community. Homegrown has provided more then just a sport to kids, they has gave the kids the ability to increase self confidence, self-esteem, and over all better performance. My son has developed amazing skills and self confidence working with the staff at Homegrown. The staff at Homegrown is knowledgeable, and passionate about lacrosse. Their passion pours over into their work with the kids.
What more can say about an organization that is spreading the skills and knowledge necessary to promote the game of lacrosse in the Upper Midwest. I am the president of a local youth lacrosse association and have used the Homegrown lacrosse programs on an association and individual basis. The instructors at Homegrown not only teach the skills to play lacrosse, they educate the players on the game of lacrosse and teach life skills to each and every player. Every single instructor that I have been involved with shares the same passion and goals of the organization. Keep up the great work!!!
Homegrown Lacrosse has provided a great resource of talent and services via off-season tournaments, clinics, and leagues to allow our players to improve skills and stay fresh during off-season. The staff is passionate about lacrosse and willing to share that passion with the kids. Experienced and knowledgeable about lacrosse, they are a first class organization.
Homegrown Lacrosse has become an intregal part of our community in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. My son started playing lacrosse 5 years ago. Growing up in this area, there was no lacrosse for me. I could not teach my son anything about this sport. A good friend of our suggested we look at Homegrown Lacrosse for some instructional camps and clinics. What a huge blessing these guys have been. We have attended a number of camps, clinics, tournaments as well as played in many Homegrown Sponsered Leagues. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT HOMEGROWN LACROSSE. On the surface, their knowledge, commitment and professionalism to expand the sport of lacrosse is obvious. Below the surface, it is really the individuals, the people who make it amazing. They are passionate about what they do and more importantly, they love teaching all age levels of kids. I cannnot say enough in this review that could fully convey my appreciation for what they do to promote lacrosse, sportsmanship, commitment, teamwork, community and building of relationships. Even as they have grown over the years, the professionalism and intimacy they bring has never wavered. My son is now a junior in high school and has played varsity lacrosse since freshman year. He continues to love this sport and Homegrown most certainly has played a vital role in it. I also love the fact that they make available, opportunities for ALL kids to participate, no matter their background or financial/social position. I cannot thank Homegrown enough!
The gentleman at Homegrown lacrosse are much more interested in spreading the love of lacrosse than they are about profit. They run camps, clinics, leagues and teams that are very much about lacrosse. It is through these activities that the boys they teach learn many valuable skills they are able to utilize outside of lacrosse. My boys have been involved with Homegrown for roughly 4 years and we have been very impressed by the coaches knowledge and love for the game of lacrosse. We are also impressed by the energy with which they coach these boys. They are always on!
I run a youth lacrosse summer program and I wanted to host a winter clinic to keep my players interested over the winter and introduce potential new summer players to the sport. I hired Homegrown and expected them to do a good job of teaching skills and drills. And they did. They were outstanding teaching the kids about lacrosse, but what amazed me was how the Homegrown staff nurtured these young men. They taught them about being leaders and teammates and friends. They demonstrated maturity along with providing an amazing amount of fun. Since that first clinic in the winter of '08, our youth program has been closely aligned with Homegrown and they have helped our players develop as athletes and people!
Through Homegrown Lacrosse my son was introduced to more than a sport. He was also introduced to individuals that he can look up to and connect with that helped him build self confidence, develop character and become part of a community. Just one example is how Jesse Brown took time to teach my son how to string his lax stick. Just that simple personal connection has filled him with a sense of pride and given him something that makes him feel very special.