Things were getting radical over at the Jack V. Crawford Skate Court as skateboarders unleashed their skills and bonded while playing games at the Skate Like A Girl half-day camp.

While they waited for the rain to subside on July 17, girls and boys sat outside under a covered area in front of Kenmore City Hall and learned about the different parts of boards and how to take them apart and put them back together.

Donning helmets and full pads, the kids — aged 12 and under — soon hit the park, located behind City Hall, for some skating action. Thirteen skaters signed up for the camp, which took place July 15-19. (Other camps are scheduled for July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 19-23 and Aug. 26-30, and scholarships are available to make skating more accessible to youth.)

Daria Herbig, 12, said she gains confidence in her skills at the camp.

“I did this camp last year and I just thought it was really fun and I’m a big fan of skateboarding,” Herbig said. “They teach you how to do new tricks that you haven’t learned before, but they don’t really go over your level.”

According to a press release, the nonprofit Skate Like a Girl rolls out its mission that “skateboarding is a tool to build confidence, resilience, and foster inclusive community.”

For more information, visit www.skatelikeagirl.com.

SKYHAWKS SCENE

Amber Powers smiles when she recalls her time attending Skyhawks Sports youth camps.

Fast-forward to today, and the 2018 Bothell High graduate is showing kids the joys of soccer as the director and coach of the Kenmore camp at Rhododendron Park in Kenmore.

“It was so fun for me growing up and that’s one thing that just was so exciting for me, playing sports,” she said on July 17 while the campers, ages 4-7, took a water break. “You can see the passion when they start getting things or when they make their first goal, and like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ and their face lights up. It’s always just so exciting to see that.”

Powers, who played softball and soccer in high school, joined the Skyhawks staff for the first time this year. She is also a ski instructor at Mount Baker.

She praised Skyhawks for focusing on teaching life skills through sports.

“A lot of the time, we try to teach sportsmanship and respect and leadership,” she said.

Skyhawks will offer more camps — including soccer, flag football, basketball, golf and baseball — through August at Rhododendron Park for kids aged 4-12. For more information, visit www.skyhawks.com/kenmore.

Amber Powers, director and coach of the Kenmore Skyhawks Sports youth soccer camp, enjoys her time with the kids on July 17 at Rhododendron Park. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo