Why Skateboarding?
Unlike many other sports, to become a skateboarder, you require no teammates or even a park. A child can learn the lessons of skateboarding with the simplicity of a board and a small piece of pavement. Those lessons: patience, focus, perseverance and discipline, are lessons that are carried from skateboarding throughout life. Although skateboarding is non-competitive in demeanor, it is now an Olympic Sport. At Bridge To Skate, we hope to give youth of any gender, race and cultural background the opportunity to skateboard. We hope with it, they’ll also be empowered to dream.
After-school/ Summer Programs
Bridge To Skate has collaborated with the Sheriff’s Youth Activities League to offer youth free after-school/ summer programs. Serving youth between the ages of 7-17, no equipment is necessary and all abilities are welcome! We have skateboards, safety-wear, shoes and features for every level. The youth in our programs also have access to free meals/ snacks, homework help, and many other sports and activities, including special events and guests!
Learn-to-Skate Clinics
Do you want to learn to skateboard? Keep an eye out on the events calendar for our free learn-to-skate clinics. We’ll bring skateboards and safety equipment to use; you bring your enthusiasm to learn!
Skateboard Recipient Program
Each year volunteers from our worldwide programs collect, refurbish, distribute and “re-dream” at least 365 skateboard completes to sponsor children that we feel would be good candidates for a skateboard. Often the kids we work with are from low socio-economic communities and could be considered at risk-youth. However, if they’re interested in exercise and having a good time, then they’re perfect for receiving a skateboard. While 76% of our recipients reside in the U.S., BTS is rapidly expanding the program in other countries, including Senegal (Africa), Peru, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, the U.K, Australia and New Zealand!
Trade-In Program
To sustain skateboarding within the communities we work at, Bridge to Skate has a program in which youth swap their broken and unusable equipment for other used equipment that is in good condition. It’s an ideal way to graduate kids to better skateboards and helps supports their desire to continue improving.
Competitions
Bridge to Skate focuses on hosting competitions in areas where there currently aren’t any. We’ve held at least one competition a month in Watts, CA, since spring 2011! In the past, we’ve held competitions in New York, Vermont, New Jersey and throughout California. Note the calendar, and come around to see what it’s all about!
Skateboard Parks
Bridge To Skate has built skateboard parks in Honduras, however we are working hard to build public skateboard parks in collaboration with local leaders in both Irmo, South Carolina and Orange, California. If you’re interested in helping out with either efforts, please contact e-mail bridgetoskate@me.com!