The local Youth for Christ/Youth Unlimited is excited about offering skateboard day camps this summer.

Skatepark Director Steve Hildebrand explains how it came about.

"In spring with the whole COVID thing, we heard that a lot of camps wouldn't be able to run," says Hildebrand. "So, we were trying to think of ways that we can help out and help kids do activities over the summer. Because we do a lot of skateboard programming, we thought, 'Let's do skateboard day camps'."

He notes they applied for the government's Emergency Community Fund through the United Way and were accepted. This allowed them to run the camps for free.

"We were planning on doing two weeks so that we have room for more," adds Hildebrand. "But if all of a sudden we have numbers that are low, we would have no problem with kids coming for two weeks. We've been running about ten or twelve children at a time, and we have all of the equipment. We have boards, helmets and everything for them to use."

To sign up, you can call (204) 856-3774 or office (204) 239-6763. The camps will run August 10-14 and 17-21 from 1-4 pm.

Hildebrand adds you don't need any experience and you can practice at the BDO Centre for the Community.