This summer was our biggest yet. Over 12 weekends, we set up free skate clinics at parks across DeKalb and Sycamore, reaching more than 200 kids — many of whom had never skated before.
We came away with a lot of lessons. Here’s the honest version:
What worked
Keeping sessions small (10–15 kids per session) made a huge difference. Kids got more individual attention, instructors could actually learn names, and the vibe stayed relaxed. We also learned that pairing beginners with slightly more experienced youth (not adults) as peer mentors worked incredibly well.
What surprised us
The demand. We had a waitlist within 48 hours of posting most clinics. We weren’t prepared for that, and we turned away more kids than we’d like to admit. That’s a problem we’re committed to solving.
What’s next
We’re expanding to three additional parks in 2026, doubling our volunteer instructor corps, and partnering with local schools to do in-school intro sessions. If you want to be part of that — as a volunteer, sponsor, or donor — we’d love to hear from you.