Woodward has renewed their partnership with STOKED — a nationwide youth development organization that aims to empower underserved youth through action sports.
“By joining forces once again, we’re not just teaching,” said Chris “Gunny” Gunnarson, global president of Woodward, in a press release. “We’re cultivating a mindset of confidence, inclusivity, and continuous progression that extends beyond the board and into all aspects of life.”
STOKED, based in New York City, has partnered since 2021 with Park City-based Woodward, a collection of camps, terrain parks, mountain resort experiences focused on inspiring and empowering the next generation in action sports. Woodward is owned by Powdr, also based in Park City.
“Most of our work together has been around the residential summer camps or the overnight summer camps in Pennsylvania and California,” said Phoebe Mills, vice president of camp experiences and programming. “As we renew, we’re looking to expand their impact across all the Woodward locations, including the mountain centers.”
The collaboration renewal will expand youth programs in Woodward camps, including at Park City. These programs will focus on skateboarding and snowboarding, and aim to encourage participants to push their limits while building confidence, creativity and resilience.
“For all of our members at Woodward Park City, all of our summer campers and even our staff, to act responsibly, to provide a welcoming environment to be uplifting and positive for each other,” said Mills. “Through this partnership, we’ve also expanded that to our mountain centers to ensure we all have these behavior expectations on treating each other well.”
In conjunction with the expansion of programs, Woodward staff will receive trainings to better assist the kids that come through their programs.
“The leadership teams across Woodward locations will be going through diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging trainings. This training will be led by the president of STOKED, who has experience in this area,” said Mills. “For the front-line coaches and counselors, Woodward is launching the STOKED mentor training program. This training will focus on the STOKED philosophy of being a positive mentor to youth.”
With a focus on removing barriers that may prevent kids from participating in action sports, Woodward Park City prioritizes needs-based scholarships. They also offer support through local organizations, such as Youth United, to help get kids involved.
“I think sometimes Woodward can appear to be intimidating when you look up on the mountain and you see jumps and terrain parks,” said Mills. “But really, if you’re brave enough to step in the door and come on the mountain, you’ll find that we really do have something for everybody.”
Woodward offers a variety of programs and events throughout the year. More information about their offerings, including their upcoming winter programs, can be found on their website woodwardparkcity.com.