Flames Futures Summer Lacrosse Camps emphasize players’ physical and spiritual development

Liberty University men's lacrosse program has taken its Flames Futures Summer Camps to the next level in recent years, offering separate sessions for players ages 9-14 from July 13-16 and those ages 18 and under from July 20-23. Both camps have overnight and day options and can host up to 100 campers.

Kyle-McQuillan-U19-campers — Flames Head Coach Kyle McQuillan (right) oversees U19 drills last summer.

"We found a format last year that was really beneficial," Assistant Coach Mike Zumpano said of having campers arrive on Saturday at noon and stay overnight through Tuesday, which is capped by afternoon intrasquad contests. "We have had success building teams and creating a tournament competition on the last day. Last year, that had a really high draw of energy and campers loved it, and we were able to hand out camp awards, talk about team values we have, and build the character of our players so they have to have very similar experience to what our student-athletes get. It is a great camp for building the skills of young players, (but) we also want to continue to emphasize the spiritual focus of the campers' experience. We felt that was foundational, so we have taken that on a little more intentionally."

Zumpano said campers, who come from as far south as Florida, as far west as California, and as far north as Vermont, New Hampshire, and Michigan, will have multiple on-field sessions throughout the day as well as chapel sessions throughout the week, with Liberty Men's Lacrosse Team Chaplain and Club Sports Director of Spiritual Development Reese Braband leading daily devotions. Head Coach Kyle McQuillan and Assistant Coaches Zumpano, Jesse Glauser, and Justin Kilian will also serve as coaches, with 10-12 current and former Flames players serving as counselors and clinicians.

"Former players come in and sometimes share testimonies, as well as teach and train specific skills, and build in fun sessions as well, which is a very cool piece to the summer camp experience," Zumpano said.

Campers will stay in Residential Commons I and II and utilize campus facilities including the East Athletic Complex, site of the Liberty Lacrosse Fields team locker rooms, and film rooms; the Liberty Multipurpose Center; the LaHaye Recreation & Fitness Center; the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre; the LaHaye Ice Center; and the Reber-Thomas Dining Center.

Flames senior midfielder Keaton Mohs, a native of Minnesota who graduate with his B.S. in Business Administration with cognates in digital media and marketing in May, will serve as a graduate assistant in Zumpano's Club Sports financial operations office this summer as he pursues his M.B.A.

He will also serve as a lead counselor in the two Futures camps, which was how he got his first taste of Liberty life over the summer before his junior year of high school.

"I had no idea what Liberty was all about," he said. "I had seen the ads in USA Lacrosse Magazine, and I went not knowing anything about it. I came to try it out and see campus and was completely blown away. It was an awesome experience. Camp brought me lots of opportunities to connect with new friends and future teammates. It was awesome to meet guys who were current players. At the time, I had followed them all on social media, so it was cool to get to know and meet guys who had strong faith and relationships with the Lord and were phenomenal lacrosse players, guys who wanted to meet you and get to know you. Going to camp was such an eye-opener and game-changer in my decision to go to Liberty and to grow in my faith. I've been here for four years now and have never regretted it."

Registration for this summer's camps opened in January, with early-bird discount specials going through March. There are also family discounts, group discounts for six campers or more, and goalie discounts, to incentivize goalies to attend with instruction from Kilian, who also serves as assistant strength coach.

For additional camp information, email lacrossecamps@liberty.edu.

Liberty University Club Sports Athletics

Flames Futures Summer Lacrosse Camps emphasize players’ physical and spiritual development

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