Youth Lacrosse for Kids in Grades K–4
4 Leaf Futures is where the 4 Leaf journey begins. Our foundational lacrosse program for boys and girls in kindergarten through 4th grade is designed for one purpose: giving young players a first experience with lacrosse that makes them want to come back. Through age-appropriate drills, small-group instruction, and a coaching philosophy built around fun and encouragement, Futures introduces kids to the skills, culture, and community of lacrosse in the most positive environment possible.
Winter sessions run at four locations across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont. Six sessions per location, $150 total. No prior lacrosse experience required — this is the right first step for any K–4 player who is curious about the sport.
Boys & Girls · Grades K–4 · NH · MA · ME · VT · 6 Sessions · $150
What Is 4 Leaf Futures?
Futures is a six-session winter lacrosse clinic for K–4 athletes — the youngest program in the 4 Leaf family. Sessions are one hour long, age-specific, and built around the attention spans and physical development of 5–10 year olds. There is no scrimmage against other clubs, no tryout, no pressure. Just good coaching and a lot of fun.
The program has a specific role in the 4 Leaf ecosystem: it is the first touchpoint for families who are new to lacrosse and want to see if their child enjoys it before committing to a full summer camp or travel program. Many of 4 Leaf's current travel players — some of whom have committed to D1 programs — started in Futures.
What Kids Learn at Futures — Age-Appropriate Lacrosse for K–4
Stick Skills — Catching, Throwing, Cradling
Young players develop basic stick work at their pace — catching balls from a coach, throwing into nets, learning to cradle while running. No pressure. Lots of positive reinforcement. Skills are introduced progressively across the six sessions so players can feel their own improvement.
Field Awareness — Positioning, Movement, Teamwork
Even at K–4, lacrosse IQ starts here. Simple concepts — where to be when your team has the ball, how to move to get open, how to work together — are introduced through games and small-group activities that make abstract concepts tangible for young players.
The Fun Stuff — Games, Challenges, New Friends
Futures sessions include games, skill challenges, and team activities designed specifically for young athletes with limited attention spans and high energy. Players make friends from nearby towns and discover that lacrosse is social, exciting, and something they want to do again. That is the whole point.
Maine Futures
When: January 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th | February 4th, 11th
Ages: Boys and Girls, K-4th Grade
Time: 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Where: Portland Sports Complex in Portland, ME
Cost: $150
2025–26 Winter Session Schedule — NH, MA, ME & VT
| Location | 2026 Dates | Times | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hooksett NH | Jan 6,13,20,27 · Feb 3,10 | 5:00–6:00 PMBoys & Girls K–4 | $150 |
| Amesbury MA | Jan 5,12,19,26 · Feb 2,9 | 5:00–6:00 PMBoys & Girls K–4 | $150 |
| Portland ME | Jan 7,14,21,28 · Feb 4,11 | 6:00–7:00 PMBoys & Girls K–4 | $150 |
| Williston VT | Jan 12,19,21 · Feb 28 · Mar 9 | 6:00–7:00 PMBoys & Girls K–4 | $150 |
New Hampshire Futures — Hooksett
NH Futures runs at NH Sportsdome in Hooksett — 4 Leaf's home facility throughout the winter training season. Six Monday evening sessions, one hour each, for boys and girls in grades K–4. Accessible from Manchester, Concord, and surrounding towns.
New Hampshire Futures — 2025–26 Details |
| Dates: January 6, 13, 20, 27 · February 3, 10 |
| Day: Tuesdays |
| Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Ages: Boys & Girls, Grades K–4 |
| Venue: NH Sportsdome, Hooksett NH |
| Cost: $150 (6 sessions) |
Massachusetts Futures — Amesbury
MA Futures runs at Maples Crossing Dome in Amesbury — Monday evenings throughout January and early February. Amesbury is accessible from both the MA North Shore and Seacoast NH, making it a strong option for families on either side of the border.
Massachusetts Futures — 2025–26 Details |
| Dates: January 5, 12, 19, 26 · February 2, 9 |
| Day: Mondays |
| Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Ages: Boys & Girls, Grades K–4 |
| Venue: Maples Crossing Dome, Amesbury MA |
| Cost: $150 (6 sessions) |
Maine Futures — Portland
Maine Futures runs at Portland Sports Complex — Wednesday evenings throughout January and early February. The Portland location serves families throughout southern Maine, including Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Westbrook, and the surrounding communities.
Maine Futures — 2025–26 Details |
| Dates: January 7, 14, 21, 28 · February 4, 11 |
| Day: Wednesdays |
| Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Ages: Boys & Girls, Grades K–4 |
| Venue: Portland Sports Complex, Portland ME |
| Cost: $150 (6 sessions) |
Vermont Futures — Burlington
Vermont Futures runs at the University of Vermont in Burlington — with a slightly different schedule structure than the other three locations. Sessions span January through early March with variable times across the five sessions. See the table below for the exact schedule.
Vermont Futures — 2025–26 Details |
| Session 1: January 12 · 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Session 2: January 19 · 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Session 3: January 21 · 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Session 4: February 28 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Session 5: March 9 · 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Ages: Boys & Girls, Grades K–4 |
| Venue: University of Vermont, Burlington VT |
| Cost: $150 (5 sessions) |
What to Bring — Gear List for Young Players
Full lacrosse gear is required at every Futures session. If your child does not yet own gear, most local sporting goods stores carry starter sets — or contact us before registering for guidance on what to buy first.
Boys Gear Required
- Lacrosse stick (beginner/junior size is fine)
- Helmet with face mask
- Shoulder pads
- Arm pads
- Gloves
- Mouthguard
- Cleats or athletic shoes
- Water bottle
Girls Gear Required
- Lacrosse stick (beginner/junior size is fine)
- Goggles
- Mouthguard
- Cleats or athletic shoes
- Water bottle
The 4 Leaf Pathway — Where Futures Leads
Futures is the beginning of a journey, not an end in itself. Players who complete the Futures program have a clear and supported path into the full 4 Leaf program as they grow older and their skills develop:
- Futures (K–4, winter) → Summer Day Camp (K–10, summer) → Summer Skills Training (Grades 1–12, summer)
- Summer Skills Training → Big Stage Camp (Grades 3–8, June) → Travel Team Tryouts (Grades 3–12, July)
- Travel Team → Year-Round Development → College Recruiting Support
Families who start in Futures and stay with 4 Leaf have produced players who have gone on to commit to D1, D2, and D3 college lacrosse programs. The foundation starts here.
Frequently Asked Questions — 4 Leaf Futures
Does my child need to have played lacrosse before to join Futures?
No — this is the program for players who have never played. Futures is specifically designed as a first introduction to lacrosse. Coaches assume zero prior experience and build from the absolute fundamentals. Many children who attend Futures are picking up a lacrosse stick for the very first time.
Is Futures co-ed?
Yes. Boys and girls train together in Futures sessions. The program is designed for K–4 players across both genders, with no gender-separated sessions at this age level.
What if my child misses one of the sessions?
The program is structured across six (or five in Vermont) sessions — missing one session will not significantly impact development. Sessions are designed to be attended consecutively but are not strictly sequential. There are no make-up sessions offered.
My child is in 5th grade — can they still join Futures?
Futures is specifically designed for K–4. A 5th grader who is new to lacrosse would be a better fit for Summer Skills Training (Grades 1–12), which runs during summer. Contact drew@4leaflax.org if you are unsure which program fits your child's age and experience level.
Is there a waitlist if sessions fill up?
Session sizes are limited to maintain a quality coaching ratio. If a specific location is full, contact ssinger@4leaflax.org to be added to the waitlist or to explore other location options.
Does completing Futures guarantee a spot in a 4 Leaf travel team?
No. Travel team spots are earned through the two-step tryout process in July, regardless of prior participation in any 4 Leaf program. Futures does, however, give players a significant head start on fundamentals and an early familiarity with the 4 Leaf coaching culture — both of which help at tryouts.