School year kickoff with skateboards

Las Cruces skateboard shop helps kick off school year to keep kids entertained in Radium Springs.

On Saturday, July 19 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. kids can go to Radium Springs Community Center to skateboard, hang out and get ready mentally for the upcoming school year with a gathering hosted by the Doña Ana Village Association and Compas Skate Shop.

Doña Ana Village Association (DAVA) is a non-profit founded in 2022 which uses grants from the Outdoor Equity Fund to get the youth of Doña Ana Village active and outdoors.

DAVA director Stephanie Vargas noticed an influx in kids gathering at the skate park in Radium Springs and thought it would be a fun alternative to the usual hiking they did. She also realized some of the kids would travel from Las Cruces because the skate park in town was under construction.

So, she partnered with Joshua Sutton, owner of Compas Skate Shop, to make skateboarding an accessible activity for both communities.

“The skate park isn’t just a place to go play,” Sutton said. “Kids depend on it to stay connected with their friends. It’s especially important during periods of time when school isn’t going on because kids get isolated.”

Vargas and Sutton have hosted skateboard building workshops and free Sunday morning skate lessons to help keep the community alive. Now, they are putting on a back-to-school celebration at the Radium Springs Community Center.

Vargas and Sutton want it to be a fun and free event with food trucks, music and skateboarding. DAVA will also provide resources for kids including health screenings, hair cut vouchers and school supplies.

“It’s probably not as extravagant as the events that are in town, but I just feel like this community needs some attention,” Vargas said. “They just need to see that stuff can really happen out there. It’s been fun and we’re utilizing whatever funds and free stuff we can get our hands on.”

Compas Skate Shop opened in December of last year, and its team aims to give back to local skaters.

“That’s our whole business plan, really, to be able to stay open to keep doing that community stuff,” said the shop’s manager, Steven Linares.

The relationship between the Compas Skate Shop team and DAVA has been mutually beneficial, said Vargas, who said he wants the Doña Ana Village community to feel seen and have activities to do that don’t require a commute into town. She hopes this event will be the first of many that brings neighboring towns together.