The gym at Orcas Christian School was filled with the sights and sounds of lacrosse as 17 students in fifth through eighth grade participated in Orcas Island’s first Lacrosse Mini Camp March 27 and 29. The camp, co-sponsored by the Funhouse Commons, was organized to introduce and teach the game of lacrosse to the island’s youth.

Lacrosse in the Puget Sound has been growing steadily over the past few years. Currently Washington boasts over 50 high school boys programs. Much of the growth and interest in the game of lacrosse is due largely to the Washington Stealth, a professional group tht plays “box lacrosse,” otherwise known as indoor lacrosse played in a turf covered hockey rink, based in Everett, Wash.

“I was first exposed to Lacrosse when I was visiting New York through my cousin who played. I saw camp as an opportunity to learn and play the game.,”s aid middle school student Ryan Filnt.

The two-day mini camp introduced students to the game of lacrosse, teaching them the basics of shooting, passing along with defensive and offensive strategies. Each day ended with a scrimmage.

“I didn’t know about lacrosse before coming to camp, now that I’ve played I want more, ” said Kellen Maier a sixth grader at Orcas Elementary.

Due to the camps’ success, Orcas Island Lacrosse plans to gain more interest and involvements by holding Sunday scrimmages, more clinics and eventually field a lacrosse team that would play in a current league of North Puget Sound teams.

“This was a great experience , I am glad got to do it I and can’t wait to play again,” said Zane Angeles, who also would love to see a team form. “We have to buckle down and try hard to be successful.”

Orcas Lacrosse would like to thank Orcas Christian School for use of the gym, Melanie Flint for her camp photography and Scott Miller, former University of Washington and Bellevue Lacrosse player, for his coaching help.

To stay up to date on Orcas Lacrosse events, check out www.facebook.com/OrcasIslandLacrosse.