Article and photo by Renata Haidle

The Billings Scorpions Lacrosse Club hosted a fun day on June 1st to celebrate the season's end and bring kids and parents together one more time before summer vacation begins. The event kicked off at 4:30 PM and ran until 7:00 PM. After announcements, thank you messages, and a special recognition of the club’s coaches, the real fun began with various activities, including shooting drills and games where boys and girls competed against each other in an atmosphere of friendly competition.

"We always hear from people that we're a breath of fresh air because the lacrosse family becomes your family," said Britin Cross, vice president of the Billings Scorpions Lacrosse Club. "Everybody just seems to get along so well. We're all there for a mutual reason, and winning is not the number one reason that we're there. We're all there to have fun and give opportunities to kids that weren't there before."

The event, which took place at the MSUB soccer field, included a "sharks and minnows" game and a girls vs. boys challenge, with the kids enjoying the high-energy, friendly rivalry. A team of volunteers from Billings’ Fire Department was there to grill hot dogs and hamburgers, ensuring everyone was well-fed and ready to play. "The whole point of our fun day was just to have a lot of fun," Cross explained. "We wanted everyone to come together and celebrate what we've accomplished this year."

What is Lacrosse?

Lacrosse, the oldest organized sport in North America, is a fast-paced and exciting game played with a netted stick and a small rubber ball. Indigenous peoples of North America developed the sport as early as the 12th century, though the European colonists significantly altered the rules to create the modern version we see today. Players use a stick with a netted pocket to catch, carry, and pass a small rubber ball with the goal of scoring by shooting the ball into the opposing team's net. Lacrosse is suitable for boys and girls, with each gender playing a slightly different version of the game. It is an excellent way for kids to develop physical fitness, teamwork, and discipline.

Why Lacrosse?

"Most of these kids will tell you that they can't wait for lacrosse season because their teammates are their true friends. It's really neat because Billings is such a big place, and we have kids that play from all over Billings and even from surrounding areas like Shepherd and Laurel," said Cross.

Since its inception in 2011, the Billings Scorpion Lacrosse Club has transformed from a small group of enthusiasts into a growing program that serves children from kindergarten through eighth grade. After eighth grade, players can join one of two high school clubs: Rimrock Lacrosse for girls or Beartooth Lacrosse for boys.

Getting Involved

The club practices from early March until the second weekend of June, with locations at Ponderosa Park, Ponderosa School, and Newman Elementary. Britin Cross highlights one of their challenges: finding enough park space for practices. "We try our hardest to keep the locations close to each other because we find that when one kid joins the club, their brothers and sisters often join later on. We want to make it easier on mom and dad."

Parents looking for a new and exciting activity for their children will find that lacrosse offers a good balance of physical activity, teamwork, and community. "We just want everyone to come out, have fun, and see what lacrosse is all about," Britin said. "It's a great way to meet new friends and become part of a community that supports and encourages each other."

During the season, the club hosts local games on Wednesdays at Ponderosa Park, allowing parents, grandparents, and friends to come and watch the kids play without traveling far. This local engagement has received positive feedback and has been a great way to grow the lacrosse family in Billings.

Join the Fun

Parents looking for a new and exciting activity for their children will find that lacrosse offers a good balance of physical activity, teamwork, and community. "We just want everyone to come out, have fun, and see what lacrosse is all about," Britin said. "It's a great way to meet new friends and become part of a community that supports and encourages each other."

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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