Skate Church every Tuesday night. Ramps, then someone talks for 45 minutes, then ramps again. Skateboards, BMX, scooters, blades. No cover charge and no sign-up.
Everyone in the park area signs a waiver. If you are under 18 a parent or legal guardian has to fill it out for you. Do it online before you come and you walk straight in, or do it in the shop when you get here.
Fill out the waiver2000
skaters come through Battleground
More than 80 percent of them would not want to come to church, even if invited. So we did not build a church. We built a skatepark, and on Tuesdays we talk.
Battleground’s own words, from the skate ministry internship page.
Everybody gets in
Battleground is a non-profit action sports youth center. All are welcome regardless of age, race, religion, identity or gender. We believe everyone has intrinsic value and should be treated with dignity and respect.
That is not a disclaimer at the bottom of a page. It is the reason the place exists.
Tuesday at 6pm. The ramps shut down for about 45 minutes while someone from the community shares. Pro skaters, teachers, business people, former addicts, kids. Then small groups, then back on the ramps. You are welcome whatever faith you have.
How a Tuesday actually goesAny age. We have taught students from 3 to 40. Pushing, tick tack, ollie, dropping in, pumping a ramp, and how to fall. Instructors set their own prices and are all screened and background checked.
What a first lesson coversBMX, skateboard, aggressive inline and scooter. Divisions from beginner to advanced, set at sign-up. Twenty dollars to enter including admission for the day. Free to watch. Prizes from local sponsors and cash for first.
Contest rules and sponsorsRead five books, list them, get a parent or teacher to sign it, bring it in. That earns a free month of admission with free rentals, worth about 67 dollars. Comics and audiobooks count. Funded by the Battle Creek Community Foundation and The Miller Foundation.
How the reading challenge worksFree summer skate camps co-hosted with area churches, and an eight to nine week skate ministry internship across Michigan and Illinois for anyone 18 and over.
Camps, internship and park rentalsShort answers. Call 269-962-1080 during park hours if you want a longer one.
Yes. A staff member is present monitoring park activities whenever we are open. Beginners get taught park etiquette first, so they know how to move through busy lanes without getting hit.
Mandatory and clipped for everyone 17 and under. Recommended for everyone else. If you do not own one, a helmet rents for two dollars.
Everyone in the park area needs a waiver, and if you are under 18 a parent or legal guardian has to be the one to complete it. Online or in the shop.
Some instructors are Battleground employees and some are not. All of them have been through our screening and background checks. Talk to a manager if you have any concerns about a teacher or a lesson.
No. Skate Church is an open time and you are welcome whatever faith you have. Nobody is obligated to share or participate. You are welcome to just sit and listen, and people are encouraged to say what they think even if they disagree.
Be respectful to staff, volunteers and other riders. No abusive language, no horseplay, no waxing the miniramp, no smoking or vaping inside, nothing illegal. And carry or walk your wheels in the mall: mall security can ban you for riding anywhere other than the park.
Read the full rulesBattleground is a non-profit. Tuesday is free because somebody paid for it. Giving goes through Bloomerang, our secure donor software, and you can give to the park or support an individual staff member.
There are plenty of ways to serve here whether or not you ride: mentoring young people, cleaning the park, cooking food, stuffing envelopes, serving on the board. We are actively accepting board member applications.
Email bcskatepark@gmail.com or call 269-962-1080.
