2021 COVID-19 / RETURN TO IN-PERSON PROGRAMS UPDATE
5/25/21 UPDATE RE: SUMMER PROGRAMS
Dear Skate Like a Girl community members,
As you may know, the pandemic has brought, and continues to bring, quite a lot of challenges for us as an organization. When we made the shift to nearly all virtual activities, we had to figure out how to use new tech platforms, create instructional videos instead of hosting clinics in-person, and get used to staring at a screen instead of spotting skaters out in the sunshine. With the support of our community, we were able to make it through the last 14+ months and still continue to serve our mission. For this, we are grateful.
For this coming summer, we are excited to make yet another pivot back to more of what our organization looked like in 2019. In recent months, we have brought back many of our core programs, such as our community outreach clinics and Women &/or Trans Sessions. As we look towards summer, and serving more children in particular, we have unfortunately encountered a variety of barriers that have limited our ability to confidently launch registration for summer camps in a timely manner, and host our typical robust offering of programs.
The largest barrier we have encountered is space. Skate Like a Girl does not own our own facility. Instead, we have fostered partnerships with indoor spaces, public skateparks, schools, and additional partners, to be able to bring our programming to participants. As a result, we are still working on confirming locations in our 3 chapter cities to host camps that can be used privately by our campers and staff, so that we may reduce as many risks to our community's health and safety as possible. For example, in our youth programs, we need to be able to control who can come into contact with our participants, ensuring measures such as mask wearing and ensuring a covid check point. Additionally, some of the spaces we were hoping to use are either not available during our typical camp hours, are not allowing for programs to occur, or are currently under construction, such as the Seattle Center Skate Plaza.
In addition to the barrier of finding private space to utilize, we also have experienced a lack of capacity on the end of our partners. Due to the pandemic, many of the partners we work with have not been able to provide information, attend meetings, sign contracts, etc. on our typical timeline.
Lastly, our organizational capacity has been very stretched due to new emerging program models and community services we’ve started. We know that many communities have been hit hard throughout the pandemic, and that skateboarding is one activity that has gained significant popularity over the last year, seeing 30% year over year growth. So far, we have given away over 400 skateboards and pad sets, and want to continue to prioritize gear distribution clinics and meet-ups to help the most high-needs folks to get rolling.
Our intention with this email is to acknowledge that we are having a less-than-ideal roll-out of our summer programs as a result of the pandemic. We are doing everything we can to bring back Women &/or Trans Sessions, community outreach programs, and camps in all 3 chapter cities this coming summer, and we will be sure to provide details and opportunities to register as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to navigate our new reality.
Best,
The Skate Like a Girl Team
Dear Skate Like a Girl community members,
As you may know, the pandemic has brought, and continues to bring, quite a lot of challenges for us as an organization. When we made the shift to nearly all virtual activities, we had to figure out how to use new tech platforms, create instructional videos instead of hosting clinics in-person, and get used to staring at a screen instead of spotting skaters out in the sunshine. With the support of our community, we were able to make it through the last 14+ months and still continue to serve our mission. For this, we are grateful.
For this coming summer, we are excited to make yet another pivot back to more of what our organization looked like in 2019. In recent months, we have brought back many of our core programs, such as our community outreach clinics and Women &/or Trans Sessions. As we look towards summer, and serving more children in particular, we have unfortunately encountered a variety of barriers that have limited our ability to confidently launch registration for summer camps in a timely manner, and host our typical robust offering of programs.
The largest barrier we have encountered is space. Skate Like a Girl does not own our own facility. Instead, we have fostered partnerships with indoor spaces, public skateparks, schools, and additional partners, to be able to bring our programming to participants. As a result, we are still working on confirming locations in our 3 chapter cities to host camps that can be used privately by our campers and staff, so that we may reduce as many risks to our community's health and safety as possible. For example, in our youth programs, we need to be able to control who can come into contact with our participants, ensuring measures such as mask wearing and ensuring a covid check point. Additionally, some of the spaces we were hoping to use are either not available during our typical camp hours, are not allowing for programs to occur, or are currently under construction, such as the Seattle Center Skate Plaza.
In addition to the barrier of finding private space to utilize, we also have experienced a lack of capacity on the end of our partners. Due to the pandemic, many of the partners we work with have not been able to provide information, attend meetings, sign contracts, etc. on our typical timeline.
Lastly, our organizational capacity has been very stretched due to new emerging program models and community services we’ve started. We know that many communities have been hit hard throughout the pandemic, and that skateboarding is one activity that has gained significant popularity over the last year, seeing 30% year over year growth. So far, we have given away over 400 skateboards and pad sets, and want to continue to prioritize gear distribution clinics and meet-ups to help the most high-needs folks to get rolling.
Our intention with this email is to acknowledge that we are having a less-than-ideal roll-out of our summer programs as a result of the pandemic. We are doing everything we can to bring back Women &/or Trans Sessions, community outreach programs, and camps in all 3 chapter cities this coming summer, and we will be sure to provide details and opportunities to register as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to navigate our new reality.
Best,
The Skate Like a Girl Team
SHOP OUR MERCH!
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New hoodies & tees feat. art by Jess Wu & Alex Fatemi. Our merch supports accessible skateboarding programs for youth across Seattle, Portland, the SF Bay Area and beyond. Each purchase helps our organization expand our reach and provide skate gear and free and low-cost programming to youth throughout our chapters.
Photos by Nam-Chi Van |
SPITFIRE x SKATE LIKE A GIRL COLLAB
NEW 2021 COLORWAYS!
It's here! Spitfire Wheels x Skate Like a Girl collab wheels and apparel featuring art by Jess Wu. Available now at your local skate shop!
ABOUT USSkate Like a Girl is a nonprofit organization empowering individuals, especially young women and trans people, to become strong, confident leaders who promote and implement equity through the vehicle of skateboarding. We believe that skateboarding is a tool to build confidence, resilience, and foster inclusive community. Our mission is to create an inclusive community by promoting confidence, leadership, and social justice through the sport of skateboarding. Founded 20 years ago, we currently operate chapters in Seattle, Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area.
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