SLIPPERY ROCK — Get to know a sport before deciding to play a sport.

Such is the concept behind the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day festivities at Slippery Rock University.

Last Saturday, SRU coaches and female athletes hosted 40 area girls ages 6-12 to introduce them to various sports. The girls got the opportunity to learn about lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, softball, field hockey and tennis along with trying their hand at some of the skills involved in those respective sports.

“I took part in a camp like this as an athlete at Springfield College,” SRU women's lacrosse coach Emily Hopkins said. “It was a great experience, very useful to the young girls.

“When I came to Slippery Rock to coach, I wanted to start a similar program here.”

Hopkins began the National Girls and Women in Sports Day program at The Rock seven years ago and remains the director of the program. The one-day event included a pizza lunch and admission to the SRU women's-men's basketball doubleheader later in the day.

“It's all about exposing these girls to what's out there,” Hopkins said. “It's a healthy, informative, active activity indoors on a cold winter day. That doesn't hurt, either.”

Girls registered for last Saturday's program — which had no admission charge — from all over Butler County, along with Grove City, Mercer, Greensburg and Pittsburgh.

One Grove City girl, 12-year-old Kendra Trezona, participated in the camp for the third straight year to learn more about lacrosse.

“I love it. I watch it on TV all the time,” she said. “But there's no where for me to play it around here. At least here, I can learn about it.

“I like it because you can keep your stick up. You can't do that in hockey. I hope I get to play (lacrosse) in high school some day.”

Hopkins said lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, especially at the collegiate level.

“Seven years ago, there were 30 to 40 teams in (NCAA) Division II. Now that number is in the 90's,” she said.

SRU assistant volleyball coach Erin Street enioys helping out with the camp because it helps aspiring young athletes in the decision-making process.

“As young girls, now is the time for them to experience different sports and get a feel for them,” Street said. “My parents played volleyball and I was always a gym rat.

“Not everyone grows up in that circumstance. This camp helps a girl decide if she likes a particular sport, finds it interesting, and may want to pick it up in iunior high or at some level like that.”

Dave Swihart of Saxonburg brought his daughter, fourth-grader Reagan, to the camp. Rachel Hortert, also of Saxonburg, brought her sixth-grade daughter, Rebekah.

Both experienced the camp for the first time.

“Reagan's played basketball for five years,” Swihart said. “I like how she's getting the interaction with older athletes.”

Hortert said her daughter has been involved with softball, swimming and basketball.

“Just getting a taste of all of these different sports is good for her,” Hortert said. “She's learning technique and the girls working this program are great role models.”

SRU tennis coach Matt Meredith participates in the program every year.

“I think it's awesome,” he said. “It's a great opportunity for young girls to see what's out there for them in terms of athletics. Those opportunities are growing all the time and this is a good way for them to experience a few of them.”

Jessica Verbic, a junior Rock lacrosse player from Massachusetts, recalled attending a similar weekend camp at Stonehill University when she was younger.

“It definitely helped me,” Verbic said. “My older sister played lacrosse, I had two cousins who played, so I got into it.

“To see all these older girls playing a sport in college ... They see us here, having so much fun, maybe that will inspire them. I know it affected me that way.”

Butler graduate Cait Baxter, now a member of the SRU women's softball team, was on hand with other underclassmen softball players to work with the girls.

“They are so much fun. They're enthusiastic and want to learn,” Baxter said. “Camps like this help them to sort things out.

“I would have loved to have gone to something like this when I was little. I'd have tried everything. That's the only way you find out whether you like a sport or don't like it. I think it's cool.”