Skateboarders and roller bladers had been naturally drawn to the steps and courtyard area of our church and over time had caused inadvertent damage, such as broken windows, damaged stucco, scraped paint, scraped and waxed concrete edges.

    The church leadership initially had decided to ask the skateboarders to leave the area when they were found skating. However, something seemed definitely wrong with asking the neighborhood youth to leave the church grounds. God spoke to our church family, we listened and the decision was made to embrace our young “guests” and to encourage their visits by providing a special place and time for the neighborhood youth to skate.

    In the summer of 2000, church volunteers began the task of building ramps and rails.  The neighborhood kids could not believe that the ramps were being built just for them.

    In July of 2000, the Sunnyslope Skate Club opened its “doors” for business and within a short time period, the weekly Friday night event welcomed crowds that numbered 150 people - including skaters, their parents and other observers who come to watch the action and hangout with friends while listening the Christian alternative, rock, rap and worship music blaring from the loudspeakers.

   Over the years, the crowds have varied and changed as kids have grown up and moved on to other experiences. However, the love for the neighborhood youth by our family of volunteers has continued to grow and mature as we have become closer to the youth and our local community.

The fun and excitement of the skaters and volunteers continues. Our current crowds on Friday nights number between 70 and 100 guests. We haul out approximately 30-35 rails, boxes and ramps each Friday.  We are open most Friday nights from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, with the exception of holiday weekends and the month of August, which is just too hot for everyone. All ages are welcome. Skateboards, roller blades and scooters are all allowed in our skating area.

Our DJ plays an often edgy, contemporary mix of inspirational alternative, rock, rap and worship music that appeals to our diverse group. At “half-time” everyone takes a 5 to 10 minute break to hear an inspirational or biblically-based message tailored to the age and interests of the skaters.

At “half-time” everyone takes a 5 to 10 minute break to hear an inspirational or biblically-based message tailored to the age and interests of the skaters.

The fun and excitement is fostered by periodic skate competitions, celebratory meals, occasional live music and visits by skate teams, etc.

Safety is maintained by enforcing our rules of conduct, which includes a check-in process and the wearing of a helmet by all skaters. Volunteer staff are posted throughout the skate club to keep an eye on the skating area.

Discipleship & Teaching

"SoFullSoul" is a Sunday afternoon bible study and fellowship time for the volunteers and skaters to dig deeper in to the Word. SoFullSoul attendance and participation is voluntary and encouraged for all Skate Club guests. The group has worked their way through a couple different books in the Bible, in addition to topical and life application bible studies.

Volunteers with a Christ-like love for our neighborhood youth are always welcome.  The weekly tasks of setting up and taking down the skate club can be quite daunting without an adequate number of volunteers. Opportunities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Check-in
  


• Snack Shack
  


• Prayer & Publication Table
  


• DJ & sound setup
  


• Half-time speakers
  


• Ramp set up and takedown
  


• Helmet rental
  


• Activity Monitors
  

• Lumber
  


• Helmets
  


• Bibles and youth-related literature
  


• Skating related items for giveaway/prizes
  


• Foodstuffs for snack shack and periodic free meals
  


• Funds (for our limited costs, such as insurance)
  

Sunnyslope Skate Club is a ministry of Sunnyslope Mennonite Church whose purpose is to reach out to our community by giving children and their families safe recreational activities while providing an opportunity to learn to know the Lord as their Savior and guide.