Broken into groups by age and experience, participants of Nighthawks Girls' Lacrosse Camp with Coach Maura Fletcher were mixed and matched a bit more than in past years due to increased development of players beginning at a younger age.

“Their skill level is so much better that they're doing as much as the experienced girls,” Fletcher said during a day of the week-long camp, held at Newtown High School's Blue & Gold Stadium in late June and early July. “They come to camp able to throw and catch. ... which is a testament to Newtown Youth Lacrosse because they're developing young players.”

The camp was offered to all ages and included elementary, middle school, and high school athletes who worked on stick skills, passing, catching, shooting, two-on-ones, defensive techniques, and more.

Fletcher noted that the camp serves as a fundraiser, with high school and college players volunteering their time to help younger players learn skills, all the while raising money for offseason training at NYA Sports & Fitness as well as team gear for the high school.

“I love being able to coach the little kids. I think it's great to see them come out and learn,” NHS player and camp coach Sara Ruddy said.

“It's fun watching them learn — and they're all having fun,” Nighthawk teammate and camp coach Blake Heim-Sherwood said. “It's fun being a teacher.”

Fletcher has run the camp for well over a decade. Fletcher, who led Newtown High to numerous South-West Conference Championships throughout the years, took a leave of absence from coaching this spring to temporarily relocate to London. She is back and was more excited than ever for camp.

“Especially this year because I missed the season. Now I get to see all the girls,” Fletcher said.

That includes the current Nighthawks, recent graduates headed off the college, and some future NHS athletes as well.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.