By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/13/15
Frank Campanale is expecting to fulfill his dreams next month when he joins Encore Lacrosse for an 11-day service/training trip to Ecuador.Image may be NSFW.
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“I decided to make this service trip because it combined two very important things in my life: Lacrosse and the ability to give back,” said the 2018 attackman from The Shipley School. “Since I was young my parents taught me to share with those less fortunate; they put two homeless children through school every year.
“I feel I should give back for all the blessings I’ve received over the years, and lacrosse will make it that much more enjoyable.”
Encore Lacrosse is still accepting applications from boys in the classes of 2015 through 2019 for a life-changing lacrosse immersion experience of training, service and cultural development in Ecuador. The deadline to register is July 24.
Encore Lacrosse has traveled all over the globe expanding the game since 2010. Its international goals are to promote the game of lacrosse, help make it a permanent fixture within the cultural fabric of the area visited and merchandise its lifestyle clothing.
Previous trips to Japan, Colombia, Uganda and Germany have all resulted in a sustained relationship where the missions of both parties continue to be met and upheld.
Joining Campanale will be participants from Mexico, Montana, California, South Carolina, and Washington state. Limited spots remain. Click here for an application.
“On the field I hope to expand my lacrosse IQ with the help of the incredible coaching staff going with us,” said Campanale. “I would also like to help teach the other players on the trip. Off the field, I would like to discover the incredible area in Ecuador. I’ve never been out of the country before, so this trip will hopefully be enlightening for me.”Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Participants in the Ecuador immersion trip will begin each day with lacrosse training by Encore’s team of professional coaches. This is what makes the Encore experience unique: its goal is to meet the needs of lacrosse players who are serious about getting better every day on the field.
After training sessions are completed, all involved will be in the hands of the Asociacion Ecuatoriana de Lacrosse run by Juan Marquez de la Plata. Coach Marquez de la Plata was instrumental in starting lacrosse in Mexico and has been coaching high school lacrosse in the Northern California for more than 20 years.
Encore’s community service efforts will be met here with a long lasting effect. Its mission is to visit schools and universities in Quito to introduce the game to as many as possible. Following the Federation of International Lacrosse guidelines, Encore will be hosting the first ever lacrosse match at Universidad de las Americas in Quito.
“I feel it’s important to give back through lacrosse because this incorporates two things I love doing: teaching people and lacrosse,” said Campanale. “Not only will I be able to teach the game I love, but I will be able to learn from the people I’m teaching. As I help teach the mechanics of lacrosse I want to learn and tweak and mistakes I may be making on my own to become a better lacrosse player myself.
“I hope to learn some Spanish as I want to converse with the locals and finally be able to use the words and conjugations I learned in class at school. I also hope to receive some great advice and coaching from the coaches going on the trip.”
In between training and community service, the adventure will start with Encore partners, Andes Adventures. Led by Tommy Angelone, a seasoned vet with more than 10 years of experience in education, leadership, management and leading tours all over the world, participants will be eating local cuisine, sightseeing, hiking, and immersing ourselves fully in Ecuadorian culture.
From start to finish, this trip will be the best to date, and that is why we are only choosing applicants that are serious about their lacrosse development, open to learning from new and different cultures and have a keen urge to give back.
Click here for an application.
Itinerary
Dates – August 3rd – 14th, 2015
Day 1 – Arrive Quito, Ecuador
Day 2 – Visit Colonial Quito & Equator Line
Day 3- Visit Local University- Lacrosse Introduction and Training
Day 4 – Explore the Northern Andes- High Altitude Training
Day 5- Visit Quito Recreation Center- Lacrosse Introduction and Training
Day 6 – Travel from the Andes to Amazon
Day 7 – Visit a Native Amazonian Community- Lacrosse Training
Day 8 – Whitewater Raft an Amazon Tributary
Day 9 – Travel to Baños | Explore the Pastaza Canyon
Day 10 – Cotopaxi National Park | Quito- High Altitude Lacrosse Training
Day 11 – Quito | Depart
Ecuador Leaders
John Christmas (Offensive Director)
Professional Career:
2010-present LXM Pro
2005-2010 Major League Lacrosse
2005-2010 National Lacrosse League
Collegiate Career:
4 year starter at University of Virginia
2x All-American, 2x All ACC Selection
High School Career:
3 time High School All American
3 time All State Selection
Pennsylvania State Player of the year
Finished career leading scorer in Pennsylvania history (322 points)
Coaching Career:
2005-2009 Lower Merion (PA) High School –Offensive Coordinator
2009-2010 University of Pennsylvania- Assistant Coach (NCAA D1)
2006-2012 Duke\’s HHH and Duke\’s LC Offensive Coordinator
Head Mens Uganda Lacrosse Coach Summer 2011
Board of Directors Brooklyn Lacrosse Club 2013-Present
Johnny Rodriguez (Goalie Director)
LXM Pro Tour – Maverik United
MLL – Bayhawks, Machine
National Champion – Salisbury
2011 D3 Goalie of the Year
2x All-American
3x 1st Team All Conference
Greg Rose (Stringing Director)
Through his own pondering and near obsession with stick stringing, Greg has become one of the most well known stringers, not just for actually stringing sticks, but for teaching players, parents and coaches how to string to their liking; he started Rose School of Stringing LLC in 2010 and continues to hold stringing workshops to this day.
Ecuadorian Lacrosse Director
Juan Marquez De La Plata – International Lacrosse Development Expert
Playing Experience:
University of the Pacific
Mexican National Lacrosse Team (2010 World Championships)
Team Hollywood – San Diego (2006-2008)
Lax World Select- Amsterdam (2003)
Palo Alto Lacrosse (2002-Current)
Coaching Experience:
San Marin High School (2010-Present)
Novato High School (2009)
Novato Lacrosse Club (1986-2000)
College of Marin (2006)
Traveling Director
Thomas J. Angelone – Travel Guide Expert
Education:
BA St. Bonaventure University
TESOL Teaching Cert.
Wilderness First Responder Cert.
Professional Ski Instructor of America Cert.
Professional Experience:
Outdoor Educator- The Boojum Institute
Naturalist- YMCA Camp Whittle
Environmental Educator- Crossroads School
Recreation Educator- Stanford University
Substitute Teacher- SF Chinese American International School
English Teacher- Istanbul, Turkey
School After Care Program Leader- Boulder Valley School Dist.
Trip Leader- Adventures Cross-Country
Recreation Leader III- San Francisco Recreation and Parks