Work in Skateboarding, Interview with Andy Dicker

I N T E R V I E W

W I T H

Element Skate Camp Director

ANDY DICKER

BY ZANE FOLEY

What is your story? How did you end up landing being Element’s skate camp director?

It all started about eight years ago. I was a skateboarding college student who was eager to leave a job at Zumiez for something new and exciting. My dad suggested that I get a job working at a skate camp.

I didn’t think such a wonderful thing would exist.

Turns out they do, and by fate one of the homies from the skate park connected me to Mike Manidis, director of the time and epic human being. Check out his shop Atlas in San Mateo, it oozes steez.

Any who, I got a job working as the store manager up at camp. From the moment I drove beside the gorgeous Lake Sequoia I was hooked on skate camp. I fully immersed myself into the program.

As a kid, I was always hyped on attending summer camps, yet longed for a solid connection to my peers. Skate camp remedied my desires for said connection. It offered all of the excellent aspects of a summer camp; fishing, swimming, campfire, cabin mates, rad counselors, etc. Yet also, it went beyond such aspects due to the core passion of skateboarding the staff and campers share. I put my heart and soul into camp. I returned for a second summer as a counselor. Then the following year I was promoted to lead counselor. Then a few years later I was promoted to program director. After my fifth summer of camp, the director of the time, Trey Littleton (also an excellent human being), had to get hip surgery. He was uncertain of how much time he could dedicate to camp during the off-season, so he asked me to take over. I was elated at the idea and accepted. By time summer came around, Trey fully relinquished the position to me. This was by

far the best thing that has been granted to me in my life. Trey trusted in me. He was confident that I would take on the full responsibilities of the summer, as I had done during the winter months. With his decision, Trey taught me the importance of believing in people. I have been director for three years now, all the while using his and Mike’s leadership skills to empower the camp employees and campers to take the steps to becoming their best selves.

As Camp Director, what would you say is the best part about your job?

Best part of my job is the endless stoke. Every kid who comes to camp is immersed in a world of freedom.

They get to spend all day with kids from all over the world who love to skate. On top of that, all of the staff shred super hard and are some of the best/ most talented/most creative people that exist on this

planet. This mountain of good vibrations allows me to go around, and high five every kid/person who comes across my path. Unlike the normal world, I know the name of every one at camp. Whether it is staff, visitor, or camper, I make it a point to memorize everyone’s first name. There is nothing like cruising from park to park, high fiving campers and hollering at them by first name. Most of the kids at camp know my name due to my role as director.

To see their face light up because I know theirs, that is something special. They are important to me, to my staff, and to skateboarding in general. Without their dedication and participation, my friends and I wouldn’t be able to work in skateboarding’s paradise. Furthermore, by coming to camp we are able to introduce a wealth of refined skateboard knowledge, etiquette, history, etc to the future.

There is no doubt that our campers will grow up to become amazing human beings. Whether they

stay skateboarding or pursue other passions in life, they will receive the life changing stoke of camp.

Campers are stoked, staff is stoked, and so then I of course am stoked. Endless stoke!

Oh yea, and having to skateboard as a responsibility of my job. Not too shabby. Being able to challenge all of my coworkers to a game of skate is a definite plus. Skating at the street course after dinner is a joy. To be touched by the golden setting sun with the lake at your side and your best friends at your back supporting any trick you attempt; magical stuff.

What are some of the unique aspects of being the director of Element Skate Camp?

To answer this, I must talk about the unique aspects of camp as a whole. For they help guide me on my journey as director.

The staff and the vibes. They are top notch. Prior to camp, I did not know what it was like to be apart of a family beyond my own. I had been apart of many teams through school, work, and organized sports.

Camp exposed me to a new group. Trained under the guidance of amazing people (Dave Metty / Mike Manidis), each summer the staff is directed to let go of their ego for the summer to be their best selves for the campers. Before camp begins we have a week long of staff training that molds our minds to act as parents, mentors, and responsible role models. We conduct numerous team building exercises, safety training, and communication seminars. The result of which is an incredibly powerful sense of unity.

Everyone comes together not as skateboarders, but as a family of skaters who want nothing but to host the best program possible for the kids. As a person in a role of leadership, assembling a competent team is not easy. However, thanks to the directors before me as well as the years of experience at camp, I know who to look for and how to get them on the right track to be an asset to the program. That was a super

“ PRIOR TO CAMP, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE A PART OF A FAMILY BEYOND MY O W N ”

long sentence haha, sorry about that.

Another unique aspect of camp is the concept of “Uncompromising personalized service”. The notion comes from Dr. Stephen Covey’s book, The Seven Habits for Highly Effective People. We used his book as a guide during staff training. Uncompromising personalized service is a mantra I repeat to myself quite often during summer. Because everyone kno w s wh o I a m, I tend to be the dude the y g o to for questions. Any issues; bullying, injuries, misbehavior, etc become queries for yours truly. At time, it can get a bit stressful. However, the follow through of responsibility is worth it. Gotta step up to take care of the people, regardless of their circumstance. Sometimes I need to be the one to step in to tell the pros they shouldn’t drink a beer in front of the campers. Sometimes I need to sit down to talk with a camper about how it feels to be homesick. Other times I need to cry with staff members about lost loved ones. Other times I have to act like a complete

goofy maniac to get everyone laughing. Regardless of the situation, I strive to get on everyone’s level. I try my absolute best to help them with their needs, maintain order in camp, and keep the stoke levels at an all time high. Shout out to Dr. Stephen Covey for the guidance!

With that being said, I also get some major perks being the director. I can skate, whenever I want (aka when I run away from my office responsibilities haha).

I also am the master of ceremonies for campfire. For those of you who don’t know camp, our campfires are world class. They are so entertaining. The mix of talent from visiting pros, staff members and campers is impressive. One can expect to laugh their butt off, then get serenaded by Evan Smith on guitar, to then get deep thoughts on life by ya boy Andy Dicker. I majored in public speaking, so I take my evening speeches at campfire seriously. They are always geared to engage our campers with self-empowerment. I love it. All I do is say what is

“ IT

IS FULLY LIFE CHANGING. SKATE CAMP IS SIMILAR TO A REBOOT:

MENTALLY SPIRITUALLY PHYSICALLY AND

EMOTIONALLY.”

real; these kids are the raddest individuals in their peer group. They are skateboarders who are always going to face obstacles. As a young skateboarder, they must practice creative thinking. Whether it’s looking at a new way to skate a spot, or a new way to resolve an issue in their life, these kids can do it. To me, they set them selves up to be successful in life. Regardless of any obstacle that may arise, these skate campers will have the practice of creative thinking under their belt to allow them to persevere in the face of adversity.

What are some of the unique experience your campers can expect?

Oh man, there are too many to even explain. I shall try my best. Well, for one, it is 100% skateboarding.

No scooters, rollerblades, pogo sticks, biking, whatever.

Not in an ego filled way, but we take pride in the fact that it is the only camp for skateboarders, run by skateboarders. All of the programs at camp are taught from a skateboarder’s mindset. We offer focus groups each morning, which allows campers to engage in a particular activity with a skilled instructor for an hour. The goal of focus groups is to offer campers an opportunity to learn something new. We want them to experience a new creative outlet by someone who cares about what they are doing, but is relatable.

They can learn how skateboards are made in our create a skate program (shout out to Paul Schmitt). They can learn all of the steps involved to make a hand made magazine in our zine program (organization, photography, writing, editing, drawing, printing, etc).

We offer a silkscreen program for campers to learn about making their own posters, t-shirts, etc. We have an epic music program where campers can learn the basics of jamming in a group. At the end of each week, we bring all of the electric instruments down to our final campfire for the kids to perform as a band for all of camp. Campers can fish; cruise out in a canoe or lake launch into our beautiful lake. There is a range of parks throughout our premises designed to stoke out skaters of all skill levels. We have the Elemental Awareness program in full force. Campers

get to learn the basics of wilderness survival; how to build a shelter, make a fire, purify water, and hunt/ gather food with nothing but the elements around them. Shout out to Todd Larson and Mike Kershnar for creating something so magical.

Beyond all of those amazing things, we have such positive vibes ingrained in everything going on up at camp. Surrounded by a dense forest of Sequoias, the air is fresh, the birds are a chirpin, and Greyson Fletcher is front bluntin’ the biggest quarter pipe at camp first try, every try.

What are some of the real challenges of Element Camp? How do you deal with them?

Two part answer. First part: Enrollment. Back in the day, the YMCA was making quite a bit of money thanks to skate camp. There was not much competition, the economy was high, and enrollment could not have been better. A full session of camp is about ninety-one campers. We had nine sessions of camp

that were full. That is over six hundred and fifty kids per summer. Our biggest struggle at the time was dealing with too many kids. Often we were overbooked. The tides of change have swept that away. The YMCA is no longer in the same financial standing as they once were. Furthermore, skate camp does not yield the same amount of registered campers it once had. Each summer takes months of preparation. The process to allow camp to begin can be overwhelming; Promoting, sending letters, organizing events, hiring, assembling, training and finally conducting. With little to no budget to market camp, it is a struggle to inform the general public how and when they can sign up for camp. Now, we are lucky to fill up one session. I personally push to make things happen. Much of the marketing, customer service, and office work for skate camp come to me. Although I am not getting paid to do it, besides my time when I am physically at camp, I find ways to make it happen. Due to low enrollment, there are less sessions of skate camp. The last

three summers we had four sessions. To go from nine glorious weeks one summer to four, it hurts the heart. A bit of a sob story I suppose. I’ll get myself a tissue haha.

Part deux: It ends. After the months of preparation, camp begins. A group of amazing individuals submit themselves to staff training, which engages their mind to become role models. Guardians in the place of the parents. It is fully life changing. Skate camp is similar to a reboot: mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally. Everyday of camp is a new d a y of exploration of the self. The staff, campers, and visitors cannot help but become intoxicated with the positive vibes. With countless opportunities to create, to connect, to experience something new, it is impossible to leave camp without an overwhelming feeling of joy. For us staff members, we must leave each summer in an odd state. All so stoked to have experienced such a powerful time in our lives. All must return to the real world. Odd jobs and uncertain circumstances. It is so crazy to go from feeling

complete, like your whole being has purpose, to then feel incomplete. At camp, I feel as though I am finally living up to my full potential. I can skate without the concern of outside responsibilities. I am looked up to as a mentor. Thus, I am challenged to rise to the occasion and act as such. Camp pushes me to be a better person. So when it ends, I am lost. I have to figure out how I will make money for the next year until skate camp comes back around. Same goes for the staff. Some are dedicated, and return year after year. However, others have to face the harsh reality and find consistent work.

All of this is necessary though. These circumstances have lit a fire in my heart to pursue creating a new program. I want skate camp to exist all year. To make this a reality, I have challenged myself to find similar programs around the world to work for. In November, I will move to Santiago, Chile to work as a skate instructor for a company called Bowl Park.

My hope is to continue working in a skate camp setting. To gain new perspectives on the business as

a whole. In time, after the wonderful experiences learning and living in a diverse climate, I will embark on the journey of making a new Skate Camp in the United States. A year round program. One in which the staff can turn their seasonal job into a career.

What do you believe evolved in skateboarding to

make Element Skate Camp possible?

The potential for skate camp to go from an idea into reality was apart of skateboarding from the get go. Although skateboarding is an expression of the individual, it is a social activity. Skating alone can be fun, but there is nothing like skating the park or traveling the streets with your friends. In the late

eighties, the founding fathers of skate camp (there is debate as to who exactly they were, some believe it to be Mike Ternasky and Bobby Goodsby) saw the potential to connect skaters from all over the world.

They took the culture of camp and morphed it to work with skateboarders. I have been told stories of the early days of skate camp. Many of the counselors were professional skaters who weren’t necessarily

the best fit to act as role models for the kids. Over time, directors like Dave Metty and Mike Manidis shifted the paradigm of camp to celebrate the group dynamics of skateboarding as well as the values of the YMCA. It took years of practice to establish the tone of skate camp. It was always fun. However, it was at times juvenile. With time, Metty and Manidis were able to establish a safe and positive

environment for campers. Staff training was a huge part of the evolution of camp itself. It allowed a tone to be set amongst the staff. The tone you set is the tone you get. To circle back to the question, nothing evolved in skateboarding to make skate camp possible.

The drive to improve oneself, the same drive all skateboarders’ experience, was the force that allowed skate camp to thrive. Skateboarding didn’t evolve itself; it helped us skateboarders to evolve ourselves.

What is the philosophy of Element Skate Camp and how do you as Camp Director embody that?

Here is our mission: “We come together at skate camp to live simply; close to nature and each other, in a wholesome and safe environment. Camp inspires us to renew our respect

for the world around us, recommit ourselves to friends, family and community, and rejoice in the spirit of positivity. Skateboarding is the vehicle to develop the mental, physical, spiritual and social realms of life. When others feel fear, we feel the opportunity to grow. Where others see empty space, we see the vessel to navigate new frontiers. Skate camp is the place where it all begins.”

As director, I am the one everyone looks to for pretty much anything and everything. A wonderful concept we continue to tell ourselves as staff members is, “The tone you set, is the tone you get”. The mission of camp is the most important tone to set from the get go. It is something that I strive to embody each and every day regardless of whether I am at camp or skating at my local park. I try to appreciate the little things in life, not take anything to seriously. Amongst my peers, I try to spread positive vibes constantly.

All of which comes from the unity of skateboarding.

It is such a beautiful practice. It touches upon so many emotions. It offers a relentless challenge to over come fear and to trigger creative thinking to turn obstacles into opportunities.

You told us you make speeches to your campers, could you elaborate on what you like to tell them?

I try my best to tell open their minds to the endless possibilities for success that they can attain. In my mi nd , sk a t e b o arders are the m ost capable individuals within their peer groups. Skating is hard.

If someone can break the barriers of learning the basics of skateboarding, then continue to practice it as a lifelong pursuit: they are legendary. I explain to them that the same passion they put into skateboarding can be shifted to any pursuit in life. If one camper wants to be a musician, they can. If they want to be a famous artist, they can.

If they want to be a millionaire, they can. All they have to do is go for it, and let nothing stop them from

achieving their goals. It is just like street skating.

Cops kick us out, people harsh our vibes, what have you. Skaters who want a trick bad enough will find a way to make it happen. To traverse obstacles and become victorious. I have seen it time and time again.

The campers show me their amazing capabilities every day at our parks. Many face a mountain of challenges. However, through the support of their fellow skater, they keep trying and usually come out victorious. In short, my speeches are meant to express to our campers that they can do anything they want, as long as they strive to do their best regardless of the circumstances.

Some people would believe Element camp is geared towards the younger generation and is more suited for those first being exposed to skating. What would be your response to this be?

My response would be come to camp. Find out for

yourself. I don’t think it is necessarily geared to a younger generation. We most definitely market to mothers, so they will be comfortable with sending their son or daughter to camp. However, camp itself hosts an amazing experience for all ages. In fact, regardless of your age, whether you are twelve years old or fifty- seven, when you come to camp you will have the same level of stoke as you did when you first started skating. The level of excitement with all of the activities, everyone can’t help but feel like a grom. I have seen Ray Barbee jam out with a group of teenagers on guitar. At the end, everyone was beaming with joy. Can’t really tell who had the most fun, the campers or the legend. So regardless of your age, come to skate camp. I guarantee you will enjoy yourself.

How has element skate camp established itself in skateboarding? What is the contribution it has given to skateboarding?

It was the original skateboarding camp. Although Woodward has been around for quite some time, it did not add skateboarding to its program until after our camp was created. Then other organizations followed suit. Beyond setting the standard for a summer skateboard program, it helped connect many of the current professionals and industry employees of today to their careers. For example, all of our media directors have grown into having amazing success thanks to camp. Ewan Bowman, Kyle Camarillo, Anthony Claravall, all media dudes who travel the world making epic skate videos. Some of our past staff members included Ray Barbee, Salman Agah, Levi Brown, Dan Rogers, Joe Brook, and many more. So many pros came to camp as campers: Paul Rodriguez, Danny Way, Walker Ryan, Jerry Hsu, Mike Carroll, and more. Camp is a hub for one to begin finding their place within the skate industry. For some, it offers them the opportunity

to master their skills to become a professional skateboarder. For others, it opens up the door to photojournalism and/or videography. For other, it offers the opportunity to connect with employees of major skateboard companies to learn about how they can get jobs. Marc Falkenstein, the skate-marketing director for Element, worked at camp. Matt Ward, best dude ever and marketing coordinator for Element, used to be the driver at camp. Todd Larson and Mike Kershnar, founders of Elemental Awareness, were both lead counselors at camp. Shoot, I got a job at Element as a sales rep for a hot minute, thanks to camp. Skate camp is a stepping-stone from local park skater into the industry at large. I recommend it to anyone who would like to transform his or her passion for skateboarding into a career.

What would you tell someone who is thinking of attending the skate camp?

DO IT! It is skateboarding paradise. Don’t waste

any time, hit me up right now and find a way to get up there. Whether it is as a camper, staff member, or volunteer. Don’t waste any time, just do it now!

If you ask any past or present staff member, camper, or visitor what they thought of camp, their response would most likely be positive. For me, it has been the single most positive thing in my life. It taught me a lot about co existing with other people, communicating effectively, and working hard for something you believe in. At camp, I feel as if I am living with all of my being. The days are long yet so exciting. One has to literally hustle around camp to be able to enjoy all of its wonderful opportunities to explore. Camp is indescribably good. Just thinking about it now gives me goosebumps. I think about it every single day. Just before it begins each summer I am filled with joy. Just after it ends I am filled with immense sadness. I may be in love with camp. If that is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Are there

opportunities for those skateboarders who may not otherwise be able to afford it attend the skate camp?

Their indeed are. They can contact Elemental Awareness (EA) co founder Todd Larson. Through EA, we actively seek skaters to offer scholarships to camp. We don’t want to offer it to just anyone. They need to prove their worthiness and desire to be apart of the program. However, if someone wants it bad enough, they can make it happen thanks to EA. WWW.SKATECAMP.ORG/

“ THE SAME PASSION THEY PUT INTO SKATEBOARDING CAN BE SHIFTED TO ANY PURSUIT IN L I F E .”