How We Teach Skateboarding

Skateboarding

At Avid4 Adventure for kids in Colorado and California, we teach every kid—from first-time adventurers to experienced athletes, from pre-K through 12th grade—how fun and empowering being active outdoors can be. As they skateboard, hike, bike, climb and paddle, kids build lasting skills and newfound confidence, igniting a passion for being active that lasts their whole lives.

Our skateboarding camps, for campers entering 2nd-7th grades, start with the very basics and progress campers through doing tricks at local state parks. The instructor to camper ratio for Intro to Skate is 1:5 and for Skateboarding Camp it is 2:13. Read below to learn more about how we teach skateboarding at Avid4 Adventure.

Colorado Camps California Camps
Skills Progression
Gear
Camps
Safety
Skills Progression
Gear
Camps
Safety

Skills Progression

Every camper at Avid4 Adventure receives a passport outlining the skills we’ll teach at camp. Given that campers have varying levels of expertise with our sports, instructors group campers according to ability to provide them the right level of challenge. Below is a list of skills we take campers through at our skateboarding camps. By attending multiple weeks and summers, campers can master skills from Cruiser to Skater!

  • Level 1: Cruiser
    • I have learned how to put pads on without assistance
    • I have learned how to put on a helmet securely
    • I can name all the parts of a skateboard and their functions
    • I know the difference between regular and goofy stance
    • I have demonstrated how to get on and off my board properly
    • I know the 4 count steps to pushing and can explain them to my parents
    • I have discovered how to rely on my balance when pushing
  • Level 2: Ripper
    • I know how to fall properly and mitigate injury in different situations at the park
    • I can demonstrate pushing, coasting, and stopping in a sequence o I can turn in a full circle both front side and backside
    • I can identify at least 5 different features and obstacles in the park o I can roll down a small bank ramp without assistance
    • I have learned about first aid and what to do if someone gets hurt at the skate park
    • I can identify Leave No Trace principles in an urban environment
  • Level 3: Shredder
    • I have learned how to do a Pump Fakie on a bank ramp or quarter pipe
    • I can explain what a skate line is and how it helps me navigate the park
    • I can assemble a skateboard from scratch
    • I can demonstrate one way to skate with ‘style’
    • I have learned how to lift my wheels over cracks or holes in the ground
    • I can do warm up stretched specific to skateboarding
    • I know how to pop my board up to my hands without bending down
  • Level 4: Skater
    • I can Ollie over a line of chalk on the ground
    • I can do a kick turn on a bank ramp
    • I can connect three features in a row to create a line in the park
    • I can lift my front wheel up while riding to ‘manual’
    • I can get a start by holding my board, walking forward tossing it down while walking
    • I know how to drop in on a Quarter pipe
    • I can tic tac across the entire park

Gear

Part of our skateboarding curriculum includes familiarizing campers with the gear they need to ride—both long and short boards, pads, helmets—and giving them some practice doing basic maintenance on their boards.

Boards

We do not purchase a particular skateboard brand but rather purchase skateboard components and assemble them. The width of the boards we use at skateboarding camps is designed for smaller feet.

Skate helmets

We use Bell Local, Bell Span helmets because they are highly adjustable and provide a secure fit. 

Skate Pads:

We use 187 Killer Pads for both the knees and the elbows. 

Camps

We offer two skateboarding camps, Intro to Skate for entering 2nd-7th graders and Skateboarding for entering 3rd-7th graders. In Intro to Skate, campers stay on site at our camp location to learn skateboarding fundamentals, proper use of gear, and basic tricks on small ramps. In Skateboarding, campers will travel to local skate parks within 30 minutes of their camp location to learn different stunts. Please visit the website page for your camp location to learn more about the skate parks we’ll travel to.

Safety

While no outdoor adventure is totally risk-free, we work hard to minimize risk. Every activity starts with an environmental briefing. Here, campers assess their natural surroundings and the potential risks involved. With the guidance of their instructors, they determine ways the group can stay safe. As a result, kids learn how to approach new challenges with intelligence and confidence.

To get campers started on their skateboarding adventures, we make sure that they are fully padded with knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, and helmets. We teach them an intentional progression and practice falling in the grass each day to minimize bumps and bruises. The instructor to camper ratio for Intro to Skate is 1:5 and for Skateboarding Camp it is 2:13.

We take a challenge by choice approach to skateboarding where campers are taught to engage in new challenges and set goals that they feel comfortable with. We meet campers where they’re at and provide opportunities for skill development and personal growth.

Read more on our approach to safety

  • Skills Progression

    Every camper at Avid4 Adventure receives a passport outlining the skills we’ll teach at camp. Given that campers have varying levels of expertise with our sports, instructors group campers according to ability to provide them the right level of challenge. Below is a list of skills we take campers through at our skateboarding camps. By attending multiple weeks and summers, campers can master skills from Cruiser to Skater!

    • Level 1: Cruiser
      • I have learned how to put pads on without assistance
      • I have learned how to put on a helmet securely
      • I can name all the parts of a skateboard and their functions
      • I know the difference between regular and goofy stance
      • I have demonstrated how to get on and off my board properly
      • I know the 4 count steps to pushing and can explain them to my parents
      • I have discovered how to rely on my balance when pushing
    • Level 2: Ripper
      • I know how to fall properly and mitigate injury in different situations at the park
      • I can demonstrate pushing, coasting, and stopping in a sequence o I can turn in a full circle both front side and backside
      • I can identify at least 5 different features and obstacles in the park o I can roll down a small bank ramp without assistance
      • I have learned about first aid and what to do if someone gets hurt at the skate park
      • I can identify Leave No Trace principles in an urban environment
    • Level 3: Shredder
      • I have learned how to do a Pump Fakie on a bank ramp or quarter pipe
      • I can explain what a skate line is and how it helps me navigate the park
      • I can assemble a skateboard from scratch
      • I can demonstrate one way to skate with ‘style’
      • I have learned how to lift my wheels over cracks or holes in the ground
      • I can do warm up stretched specific to skateboarding
      • I know how to pop my board up to my hands without bending down
    • Level 4: Skater
      • I can Ollie over a line of chalk on the ground
      • I can do a kick turn on a bank ramp
      • I can connect three features in a row to create a line in the park
      • I can lift my front wheel up while riding to ‘manual’
      • I can get a start by holding my board, walking forward tossing it down while walking
      • I know how to drop in on a Quarter pipe
      • I can tic tac across the entire park

  • Gear

    Part of our skateboarding curriculum includes familiarizing campers with the gear they need to ride—both long and short boards, pads, helmets—and giving them some practice doing basic maintenance on their boards.

    Boards

    We do not purchase a particular skateboard brand but rather purchase skateboard components and assemble them. The width of the boards we use at skateboarding camps is designed for smaller feet.

    Skate helmets

    We use Bell Local, Bell Span helmets because they are highly adjustable and provide a secure fit. 

    Skate Pads:

    We use 187 Killer Pads for both the knees and the elbows. 

  • Camps

    We offer two skateboarding camps, Intro to Skate for entering 2nd-7th graders and Skateboarding for entering 3rd-7th graders. In Intro to Skate, campers stay on site at our camp location to learn skateboarding fundamentals, proper use of gear, and basic tricks on small ramps. In Skateboarding, campers will travel to local skate parks within 30 minutes of their camp location to learn different stunts. Please visit the website page for your camp location to learn more about the skate parks we’ll travel to.

  • Safety

    While no outdoor adventure is totally risk-free, we work hard to minimize risk. Every activity starts with an environmental briefing. Here, campers assess their natural surroundings and the potential risks involved. With the guidance of their instructors, they determine ways the group can stay safe. As a result, kids learn how to approach new challenges with intelligence and confidence.

    To get campers started on their skateboarding adventures, we make sure that they are fully padded with knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, and helmets. We teach them an intentional progression and practice falling in the grass each day to minimize bumps and bruises. The instructor to camper ratio for Intro to Skate is 1:5 and for Skateboarding Camp it is 2:13.

    We take a challenge by choice approach to skateboarding where campers are taught to engage in new challenges and set goals that they feel comfortable with. We meet campers where they’re at and provide opportunities for skill development and personal growth.

    Read more on our approach to safety

Skateboarding Camp Photos

Intro to Skateboarding

Skateboarding

Campers are grouped by grade as they hone their skateboarding technique, develop a better understanding of their equipment, learn new tricks and get immersed in skateboarding etiquette, culture and terminology. With guidance from our experienced instructors, these young skaters learn what it takes to impress at the park.

Skateboarding Day Camp campers should have some skateboarding knowledge and be comfortable riding on their boards, turning, and stopping. They should also have a desire to ride the park and learn tricks.