Skateboarding Through the Break

Move over science camp, take a seat space camp because Campbell now has skateboarding camp for the first time during the school breaks.

Today is the end of the winter break camp, which ran from Feb. 20-24 but the next one kicks off April 9-13.

"Skate Camp has always been offered in the summer time but we decided to add these camps during the vacation," says Hilary Holeman, Campbell Recreation supervisor.

The program usually only takes 16 students per session but for this week's session, the department added four more slots to accommodate for the demand, Holeman says.

"What really makes this camp is the staff," she says. "They are two seasoned instructors that are really good with the kids and many (kids) come back because of them."

The two instructors, Brad Behrens and Devin Huff work with the kids from giving tips and general instruction to holding new skaters on their first glide down the ramps.

"A lot of kids grow up with team sports, which is fine," Behrens says. "But the skateboard is always waiting for you. It's more of an individualistic thing. If you want to play soccer, you have to find a field, with a skateboard you can do it at a park, on the sidewalk, nothing defines and controls you."

Behrens has skateboarded for 15 years and taught it for 10. The South San Jose native says that he's always wanted to teach. While he's not on a board, he's substitute teaching for the diocese of San Jose.

"Getting to share that passion with someone that's just getting into it is great," Behrens says.

And the youth are passionate. Many of the campers this week are siblings, most returning pupils.

One student echoes his teacher's sentiments of the sport.

"I like that there's no rules," Jacob Meza says. "You can do what you want."

The skateboarding camp is geared towards beginner skaters, beginners who already have the basics of pushing and riding and introduces them to the elements of the skate park. The cost for residents is $89 for the week and $96 for non-residents.

These two session aren't the only opportunity for Campbell youth to push around the board. The skate park, which opened in Campbell in 2004 has offered summer camps since 2006, but tend to fill up and have wait lists, Holeman says, so another alternative are the beginner's classes for youth ages 6-12.

These classes start tomorrow Feb. 25 and Tuesday, Feb. 28. You can register online at www.cityofcampbell.com or by calling the Recreation office at 408-866-2104.