Director of Boys Lacrosse
Colin Bannon
Westport, Connecticut native Colin Bannon joins Academy Camps as the Director of Boys Lacrosse for Summer 2024!
Coach Bannon is one of the most sought after personal lacrosse coaches in Fairfield County and consistently sends high school lacrosse athletes to compete at the Division 1 level. Colin is a three time collegiate All-American and second leading point scorer for Endicott College. He has been playing lacrosse since he was 5 years old, playing for Staples High School and started all four years at the attack/midfield position for the Endicott Gulls. Returning back to his alma mater in 2019, Colin coached the Staples Wreckers for four years, helping them secure their first state title in school history in 2022, followed by another in 2023. Coach Bannon has coached for the Eclipse Lacrosse Club and is now the Head Lacrosse Coach at Fairfield Country Day School.
Director of Girls Lacrosse
Cristina Vélez
Cristina Vélez joins the leadership ranks of Academy Camps in ‘24 as our Director of Girls Lacrosse!
Coach Vélez has been involved with lacrosse for over two decades, reaching the highest level of sport both on and off the field, working for the International Federation, World Lacrosse, competing as a national team athlete for Spain and coaching team Brazil. With a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Skidmore College and a Masters in Education from the Universidad de Alcalá, Coach Vélez brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience to Academy Camps.
Coach Vélez is a bilingual, dual citizen of the US and Spain. A New Hampshire native, she grew up playing lacrosse in the US and moved to Madrid in 2012 where she has been involved with international lacrosse ever since. As an athlete, she still plays in the Spanish Liga and has competed for the Spanish Women’s National Team. She served as Spain’s very first Director of Development launching and coaching youth and adult teams all over the country.
She later served as a Sport Development Manager for World Lacrosse, managing the regions of Europe and the Americas, launching new countries like Uruguay and Brazil and coaching all over the world in places like Costa Rica, Colombia, Malta, Germany and Portugal. As the Co-Founder of Brazil Lacrosse, she continues to help coach and develop the sport, spending months at a time volunteering in Brazil. She is currently the only woman to be the Head Coach of a men’s National Lacrosse team, coaching the Seleção Brasileira.
Coach Vélez is a 15 year alum of YMCA Camp Huckins, as a camper and a counselor, and her love of summer camp, infectious positive attitude and comprehensive coaching paired with her vast experience and educational background make her a true standout for Academy Camps!
Academy Camps offers an alternative to the typical summer youth lacrosse experience of tournaments that focus primarily on games.
At Academy Camps, skill progression is at the forefront of what we do. Our campers improve and refine all facets of their lacrosse game in a positive, progressive and challenging environment. Every day.
Our high-performance coaching staff lead individual and group sessions, position-specific skill work, competitive scenarios and various forms of game-play that cover every position on the field.
Among the skills your child will develop and hone within Academy Camps Lacrosse are:
- Stick handling
- Shooting
- Passing
- Catching
- Ground Balls
- Individual & Team Defense
- Field Spacing
- Play Execution
- Decision Making
- Game IQ
- Speed & Agility
- Team Building
David Holmes Field
Academy Camps Lacrosse takes place on the state-of-the-art David Holmes Field and is suplemented by our upper-turf field and over 7 natural grass fields. Athletes will also have access to the 30,000 square-foot Tisch Field House during inclement weather.
2024 Sessions
| Session | Length | Dates | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Two Weeks | Sunday, June 23 - Friday, July 5 | $4,750 |
| One Week | Sunday, June 23 - Saturday, June 29 | $2,900 | |
| Session 2 | Two Weeks | Sunday, July 7 - Friday, July 19 | $4,750 |
| One Week | Sunday, July 7 - Saturday, July 13 | $2,900 | |
| Session 3 | Two Weeks | Sunday, July 21 - Friday, August 2 | $4,750 |
| One Week | Sunday, July 21 - Saturday, July 27 | $2,900 |
Prior to March 1, a $750 deposit is due upon enrollment. After March 1, 50% of tuition is due upon enrollment. The balance is due on May 1.
Additional charges include a $175 “AC Gear Pack” fee and camp transportation based on origin/destination.