POCATELLO — Intrepid skateboarders looking to gain an edge can dive into fun this summer with a series of skate camps for beginners and intermediates.

The upcoming camps, hosted in partnership with the Pocatello Parks and Recreation Department, mark the first time the city has officially contracted with a certified skateboard instructor to run a structured summer youth program.

Local Deckadence Board Shoppe owner Darin “D’Beau” Black has spent more than a decade advocating for skaters. This summer he will bring structured, city-approved skate instruction to Optimist Skate Park, with all gear provided for students.

Black approached Parks and Recreation Director Ann Butler after Optimist Skate Park opened last July, and his summer skate camp proposal was unanimously approved by the city council. A portion of each camp registration fee goes directly to the city.

Two week-long sessions are scheduled for June at Optimist Skate Park, 972 N. 7th Ave., running Monday through Friday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Each session is capped at 12 skaters to maintain a low instructor-to-student ratio.

The beginner camp runs June 8-12 and focuses on six core fundamentals of skating — the push, coast, carve, stop, tic-tac and kickturn — so every rider can navigate the park with confidence. The goal is to build foundational balance, proper pushing technique and safe stopping skills in a high-energy, inclusive environment.

The intermediate camp runs June 15-19 and covers pumping, kickturns and technical park navigation.

Both sessions are open to skaters ages 8 and up and are priced at $125 per camper. Intermediate campers must either be graduates of the beginner session or pass a brief pre-screening evaluation at Deckadence, 326 W. Center St.

“If they can already kick and coast and stop and turn, they probably need to get their butts into the intermediate course,” Black said.

One of the most deliberate features of the camps is that participants need nothing beyond proper shoes and clothing. Through partnerships with Push Skateboards, Globe Skateboards, Triple Eight and ProTec Safety Gear, Black secured donated equipment to outfit every camper with a brand-new, professional-grade loaner skateboard, helmet and full pad set.

“Nobody has to have any gear,” Black said. “They could just sign up for the camp and all the safety gear and all the skateboards are provided. I really wanted to see that we had a low barrier of entry for people.”

Safety is paramount. While campers may bring their own equipment, Black said he will conduct a brief safety inspection on any gear brought from home. All registered campers also receive a 15 percent discount on a complete professional skateboard at Deckadence Board Shoppe.

Black also recommends campers bring flat-sole skate shoes, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and athletic clothing that allows a full range of motion.

Through a partnership with Lava Hot Springs-based Eruption Brewery — which donates $1 to Black’s skateboarding efforts from every pint of its Deckadence Pale Ale sold — two full camp scholarships are available, covering the entire cost of a session.

To apply, interested families must follow both Deckadence Board Shoppe and Eruption Brewery on social media, then stop by the shop during business hours to fill out an entry slip with the student’s name, age and a brief explanation of why they want to learn to skateboard this summer. Entries must be submitted in person by 6 p.m. June 6, with winners drawn that evening.

Black held his first skate camp out of his shop in 2015 and pursued formal certification through an accredited program in 2022. His personal motivation runs deeper than credentials, however. Growing up, Black learned to skate from magazines like Thrasher and online videos, and he wanted to be the mentor to young skaters that he never had.

“Skateboarding teaches you to be resilient — in life and on the board,” Black said.

For those wanting to explore skating further, Deckadence offers three tiers of year-round instruction. Private one-on-one coaching runs $60 for a single fundamentals session, $175 per month for four 45-minute intensive sessions or $155 per month for a six-month mastery package totaling 24 sessions. The Accelerator Series, a group program held Monday evenings at the shop’s private indoor ramp room inside his store located at 326 W. Center St. in Historic Downtown Pocatello, runs $100 per month on a three-month commitment.

“Skateboarding has driven me in so many ways to remain focused and dedicated and healthy,” Black said. “I just want to share what skateboarding has brought to me with others.”

To register or for more information about the 2026 Pocatello Skate Camps, visit deckadenceskateboards.com.