The Hive, a youth-centered community hub, reopens in Durango
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DURANGO, Colo. — The Hive, a youth-centered community hub in Durango, reopened in June after closing its original location last summer.
The Hive is a nonprofit community space that includes an indoor skate park, music venue and art space. The new, 7,800-square-foot, two-story building sits next to the Animas River, offering more room than the previous location on Durango’s Main Street.
The skate park is expected to open later this summer.
The Hive first launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, filling gaps in remote learning and access to art supplies. Over time, the organization expanded its programs to include summer and winter camps for kids ages 8 to 16, as well as leadership and internship opportunities for high school and college students. The first location closed because the landlord chose not to renew the lease.
“I grew up in Durango as a low-income kid,” said executive director and co-founder Keslie Borland. “I always loved skateboarding and the alternative music scene, but in the ’90s, we didn’t really have anywhere to go.
“I’ve lost a lot of people early in my life due to alcohol, drugs, suicide, and other things, so I wanted to create mentorship for kids through doing cool things that keep them busy.”
Borland earned a degree in social work from Colorado State University and later worked with foster youth and a snowboarding mentorship program. Those experiences shaped her vision for The Hive’s year-round programming.
“A lot of kids don’t have the opportunity to explore the outdoors,” she said. “A lot of families don’t go hiking or visit Purgatory like many affluent families do.”
The Hive now offers a nine-week summer program that includes outdoor trips, skateboarding lessons, and art workshops focused on self-expression. The organization aims to provide full or partial scholarships to at least 80% of its participants. The average daily cost is $43, and this year, The Hive raised $37,000 to help 84 children attend.
On a recent Tuesday, about a dozen kids returned from a trip on the Colorado Trail and gathered to reflect on their experiences and how they practiced compassion, one of The Hive’s core values.
Sasha Zaykovskaya, 11, has been attending The Hive’s programs for three seasons.
“This camp is different from any other camp,” she said. “I feel like at other camps, the adults don’t really care about you, but here they do. They ask questions that make you think.”
One of the most important lessons she’s learned is how to recognize healthy friendships and distance herself from toxic ones.
Sasha’s mother, Tatiana Zaykovskaya, said she’s seen a clear change in her daughter.
“She’s definitely more grounded and compassionate when she comes back from camp,” she said. “She doesn’t feel pressured like she does at regular school. I think she was drawn to the more free-spirited, low-pressure environment.”
Tatiana added that receiving a 50% scholarship and the camp’s extended hours — without extra fees for early drop-off — allows her to focus on work without worrying about child care.
The Hive is funded through grants and donations from the community. Local contractors donated lumber and labor to help build the new skate park. The organization also partners with schools and businesses to expand opportunities for youth.
“For me, this is a place where true freedom and expression can exist with fewer boundaries than we find outside these walls,” said Alex Vick, creative director and co-founder.
“Lots of firsts happen here — the first time someone drops in at the skatepark, the first time someone plays music onstage, the first time someone gets paid to paint a mural,” he said. “It’s powerful to witness people overcome personal and social barriers to grow into themselves.”
Type of story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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