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LARC…what is LARC?  LARC stands for Lynnhurst Area Recreation Council.  We are the volunteer organization at Lynnhurst Park and Community Center that provides the organization, athletic equipment, coaches, and volunteers for most team-based athletic programs offered at Lynnhurst Park.  We are assisted by the Lynnhurst Park staff which provides registration and coordination assistance for our programs.  When possible, we re-issue donated equipment to participants.  Programs are intended to be fee-based.  Full and partial scholarships are available.  Some sports offer Girls Only teams.  Open Teams mean boys and girls play together.

LARC facilities, the Lynnhurst Community Center and gymnasium, our athletic fields, and our skating rinks are provided and maintained by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB.)  In addition to the Lynnhurst facilities we have access to the Burroughs and Washburn schools gym and wrestling facilities.

Two general types of athletic programs in a variety of sports are offered through LARC:  In –house ( Fundamental)  programs, and MPRB (City) leagues.  Go to the Registration  area to learn Days-of-Week play for every age in every sport.

In house - Fundamental Kindergarten through Third

Grade

In house leagues are for children aged Kindergarten through Third Grade, generally five years through nine years.  These games will generally be held at Lynnhurst or Burroughs facilities, sometimes at Armatage, Kenny, Linden Hills, or Pearl parks for “away” games.  Fundamental league philosophy is  PLAY to LEARN, and coaches emphasizes fun and basic skill development.  Coaches usually hold several practices preceding league play.  In the K-1 grouping, few coaches hold practices once games have begun.  In the grade 2-3 grouping, some coaches hold weekly practices in addition to weekly games.  Season play in most sports is two games per week for six weeks.  School and national holidays may extend the season beyond six calendar weeks.  Fundamental leagues use modified sport rules that are applicable to young children.  There is no post season play in Fundamentals.

MPRB – City     Fourth Grade through High School

City leagues are for children ages nine (fall age ) through nineteen (spring age.)  Most sports field teams through ninth grade.  Some sports offer teams for sophomores through seniors, depending on city-wide interest and a minimum number of four teams.  While all sports are officially “recreational” level, in the larger enrollment sports (open basketball, baseball, soccer) teams are rated and grouped in similar-ability sections.  For example, in 4/5th grade soccer in 2006, there were four sections of eight teams each.  Coaches and hired soccer professionals rated teams according to about ten dimensions in two observational games.  Most coaches hold preseason and during-season practices.  Teams play 10-16 games and end-of-season tournament play throughout about twelve weeks.  Games are held at facilities through Minneapolis, with a maximum drive of about eight miles.

MPRB and LARC have a “no-tryout” policy, with the exception of football due to size and weight considerations.  This means that each child may link with one other child as long as both children request the match on the registration form.  Children may request coaches, but only relatives are guaranteed.  See Roster Policy attachment in Policies section for complete description of roster assignment process.  LARC Coaches receive some sport-specific and first aid training.  Coaches submit to background checks and are required to uphold Sportsmanship Guidelines that are in Policies section.  See  Coaches’ Corner for full description of coaching benefits and guidelines.

Children may “Play Up” if they are in the higher of the two grades of their actual grade grouping.  For example, a third grader may “play up” into the 4th/5th grade league; however, a second grader may NOT “play up.”  Some sports may require parents to sign a “Play Up” waiver.  The waiver reminds the parent that playing up is beneficial to participants who are physically and emotionally able to participate and compete with others who may be physically and mentally more developed.  The Coordinator will contact those who register as “Play Up” participants.  If your child  had a summer birthday but did NOT enroll with the traditional starting class (age 5 by Sept 1 in Minnesota to start kindergarten, often referred to as a “late start” child) your child may play with her/his grade without filling out a “Play Up “ waiver.  No regular-aged preschool participants may play up into a Kindergarten league.  Contact Kenny park - some of their leagues begin at age 4.

We encourage community members to participate as paid referees/umpires in many sports.  Sixth graders through adults attend required training, take skills knowledge test, and can request local parks for assignments.  Look in Coaches’ Corner for more information. 

LARC is a volunteer organization.  The Board of Directors  meets monthly at the Lynnhurst Community center.  Meetings are open to the public.  We always need volunteers for sport coordination, coaching, communications, and to serve as LARC Board members.  We need and welcome your input.  LARC is a neighborhood organization that works because you and your neighbors invest time in its programs.  Please volunteer … LARC is your organization!