Lee’s Family Forum will once again host the Las Vegas Desert Dogs’ Camp 99 during the last two weeks of July 2025. The five-day camp, led by Vegas captain Connor Kirst, offers young players of all skill levels and experience the opportunity to learn the Medicine Game from the Desert Dogs’ best and brightest stars, with an emphasis on lacrosse fundamentals, teamwork and having fun.
The beauty of Camp 99 lies not in its attention to detail, but in its focus on the bigger picture. Being based in a still-emerging state like Nevada, Kirst and the Desert Dogs’ focus turns instead to developing a love for lacrosse in young athletes, as well as a major emphasis on teamwork. “That’s the beauty of the sport, in my opinion and as an organization,” said Kirst. “Our focus is towards energy, your attitude, as well as teamwork and togetherness.”
💬 Incoming Message from Kirsty
Get ready: Camp99 starts soon! Sign up now ➡️ https://t.co/BnDkOLJGvG#DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/HpdygUQbXY
— Las Vegas Desert Dogs (@vegasdesertdogs) June 12, 2025
As with any new program, there are bound to be growing pains, whether that presents itself in camper retention, drill selection or general skill level. Tasked with heading Camp 99 for the second year in a row, Kirst is faced with the new challenge of improving upon the initial camp experience. But as he recalls, the skill level was never a cause for concern at Camp 99. “There was actually a decent amount of skill for kids that have never played before,” said Kirst. “The kids were super gifted and talented, and we’re really looking forward to [having them back.]”
Without the need for additional emphasis on fundamental instruction, Kirst and the Desert Dogs are able to introduce campers to more complex drills and lacrosse concepts sooner and relate better to new inductees. But all work and no play, as they say, makes campers a dull crowd! In order to keep their attendees engaged after instruction, Camp 99 pivots to non-lacrosse activities at the end of practice, such as soccer, wiffleball and handball, in order to deepen their understanding of lacrosse concepts and reiterate to their campers the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork.
“One of the struggles is when you do go and break out into games, there’s always one kid who will be more talented and just take the ball and try to go through the whole opposing team,” said Kirst. By incorporating other games into the practice plan, Las Vegas hopes to mold their campers into good teammates. “If we’re playing with a ball or kickball, you have to throw out the first base to get the out, you have to work with your teammates.”
This year’s camp is scheduled during a particularly volatile time during the sport’s growth in Nevada. Earlier this year, in association with USA Lacrosse and Nevada State Senator Fabian Doñate, the Desert Dogs sponsored and helped push Senate Bill 305, a bill that officially sanctions lacrosse as a sport in the state of Nevada. After a brief waiting period, SB305 passed Nevada state congress on June 12, 2025.
It’s Official: The NIAA will sanction lacrosse in Nevada High Schools by the 2026-27 season! 🥍
We’re excited about what this means for the future of the game and the continued growth of lacrosse in Nevada.
Read more: https://t.co/VjiOHsBZ1i pic.twitter.com/PCbQnKOKRN
— Las Vegas Desert Dogs (@vegasdesertdogs) June 12, 2025
In addition to requiring the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) to create and enforce regulations that officially recognize lacrosse as a sanctioned sport by the 2026–2027 school year, SB305 will provide boys’ and girls’ high school lacrosse teams the opportunity and eligibility to compete for state championships, as well as participate in interstate tournaments and matches.
“Sanctioning lacrosse in Nevada is a monumental step forward for the lacrosse community,” said Paul Speaker, CEO of the Las Vegas Desert Dogs. “We are especially grateful to [Joe] Governor Lombardo for his leadership in making this vision a reality. This decision not only paves a clear path for youth lacrosse development but also enriches Nevada’s broader sports landscape. This is a pivotal moment for lacrosse in Nevada, and we are excited about the opportunities it brings for future generations to come.”
Mic is ON 🎙️
Get an inside look at Camp 99 with Connor Kirst 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y2x1tqZT7o
— Las Vegas Desert Dogs (@vegasdesertdogs) August 15, 2024
During the bill’s early introductions to the State Senate, Kirst was asked to attend as a guest speaker on behalf of the Desert Dogs organization in support of the passage of SB305.
“[SB305 is] great for the sport,” said Kirst. During his audience with the Nevada State Senate, he also emphasized the benefits the passage of the bill would bring not only to the sport, but also to the communities in which the Medicine Game is deeply ingrained.
“[Lacrosse] is such a community, and it brings that community together, similar to that of football; the teams become a family, the families of the players on the team get close all through just traveling to practices and games,” said Kirst. “It’ll be great for the state as a whole to get more sticks in hands and provide that opportunity to all high school students in Nevada.”
Growing up in Bernardsville, New Jersey, as the eldest of five sons of a prestigious high school coach and Rutgers University alumnus, Kirst underwent a lacrosse-dense upbringing. His dedication to the game of lacrosse has not only afforded him the opportunity to build a career in two professional leagues, but the opportunity to personally nurture the growth of the game in the American desert.
“I was very fortunate to grow up in New Jersey, where lacrosse is already established and there’s a great culture and community around the sport,” said Kirst. “The only way to create that is to provide that opportunity.”
On and off the floor, Connor Kirst led by example 🫡
Congrats to our Captain and Teammate of the Year 🖤#DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/53LP5fbipC
— Las Vegas Desert Dogs (@vegasdesertdogs) May 22, 2025
As captain of the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, Kirst is on the forefront of the franchise’s community relations and growth efforts, making his presence at Camp 99 all the more impactful. But in keeping with the camp’s core values, Kirst’s approach to expanding the game’s reach extends beyond just giving young athletes the basics. “I think [lacrosse] is a sport where once you try it and you have a little bit of success, whether that be picking up the ball or having a catch, there’s so much creativity and skill that comes with progressing in the sport,” said Kirst, explaining that he hopes his own experiences as a multi-sport student-athlete will help instill the passion for competition and community in his campers. “We’re ultimately trying to provide that base, that atmosphere that gets kids hooked.”
Week 1 of Camp 99 runs from Monday, July 21, to Friday, July 15. Week 2 runs the following week from Monday, July 28, to Friday, August 1.
For more details and additional signup information, visit the Las Vegas Desert Dogs’ Community page or visit the Camp 99 Registration Portal.
