Darien Youth Lacrosse’s program doesn’t start until first grade, but you don’t need to wait to get your little laxer started in the sport. Here’s the rundown on the top local programs that offer lacrosse for the youngest players. Depending on which program you choose, your child may be able to continue with the same one through the club level.

Read & React Lacrosse

Read & React Lacrosse is a local favorite for the 7 and under set. The program offers backyard clinics in Darien. While they do some spring clinics, their biggest season is fall with full groups throughout the week and weekend. You can create your own cohort if you have a suitable backyard or other venue and a group of 10-20 kids. This summer they are also hosting a Little Laxers Summer Camp, with two weeks to choose from, at Baker Park that’s run through Darien Parks and Rec. You can also work with Read & React Lacrosse to create your own week long camp, weekly clinic, or whatever you’re interested either during the week or on the weekends.

USA Squirts Lacrosse

The youngest players – ages 3 and 4 – can also learn basics from a USA Sports Institute Squirts lacrosse class. It’s conveniently located at the Town Hall fields and run through Parks & Rec. The class is offered in the spring and summer and intended for kids who have never tried lacrosse. All equipment is provided.

Northeast Athletic Center Lacrosse

The Northeast Athletic Center in Norwalk has a fun intro program, Little Laxers, for young kids who have never played lacrosse before. Classes are offered for two age groups: ages 3 and 4, and ages 5 and 6. An added plus — you don’t need any equipment. The one-hour classes are offered on Saturdays during all seasons including summer, which will start at the beginning of June. For kids who do have more experience in lacrosse, the clinics for first and second graders, which run during the fall and winter, are a better choice – they are split into clinics for boys and clinics for girls.

CT City LAX

Kindergarteners (and preschoolers age 5 and up) can learn the basics with CT City LAX‘s Pre-K and K programs, which typically run in the fall and winter in Stamford. All you need is a beginner stick, though you can also borrow one if needed. They may also organize a summer session, stay tuned. Kids who will be in first grade in the fall can also take advantage of their summer camps for boys and girls.

Greenwich Warriors Lacrosse

Kids in kindergarten and older can start playing with Greenwich Warriors Lacrosse. Look for both summer camps and clinics in the fall and spring for both boys and girls during many different time slots and days.

To keep on your radar: Greenwich Warriors also fields travel teams for kids as young as second grade (through 8th grade) that compete during the fall, spring and summer. While tryouts are required, they are more of an evaluation and in the younger grades everyone is typically offered a spot. These tryouts occur a couple of months in advance of the fall and spring programs. For summer travel lacrosse, which runs under the name Sound Warriors however, kids will try out the summer before the summer they play. So if your first grader wants to do travel lacrosse next summer, this is the year they should try out so they can play next year.

2Way Lacrosse

During the spring and fall seasons, 2Way Lacrosse in Greenwich hosts a “Launch League” for current first and second graders. Boys will be split into different teams and play nine 6×6 games between late April and mid-June, ending with a Championship Day in late June. Camp2W is also offered for kids as young as first grade for two weeks this summer.

This is considered their youth development program for the 2Way Club Program, which can start as young as second grade or third grade. Kids would tryout this summer for those club teams that would play in the fall and next summer.

Darien Youth Lacrosse

First graders start with Darien Youth Lacrosse in the Blue Wave Buddies program for boys and girls that runs each spring from late March through May. Kids will be organized by elementary school and split into groups. At each hour long practice, these groups will be led through various drills by both parent coaches and 8th grade players. Second graders have a similar Blue Wave Buddies program, and game play begins in third grade. Rising first graders and older can also sign up for the Darien Summer School boys lacrosse camp.

Find more lacrosse options or other sports clinics, classes and camps in our program directory. Missing your favorite lacrosse program? Tell us at info@waystoplaysports.com.