Durham Teens Can Design And Create Their Very Own Sneakers

Source: Nike.com / Nike.com

Teens across Durham now have the unique opportunity to learn a creative and lucrative skill in the ever-growing world of sneaker creation.

Durham Parks and Recreation’s (DPR) MyDurham Teen Program has partnered with Dirty Soles Footwear Group, an organization that provides educational experiences for teens who want to learn about the footwear industry, how to create sneaker designs, and the marketing of their shoes through their Art of Shoe Making course, to bring this program to the Holton Career and Resource Center for two sessions — the first running from October 22 through November 14, and the second from February 4 through February 27 — for 20 teens each session.

Each four-part course is spread over a four-week period where teens will have the chance to learn sneaker design history & trends, sketching techniques, elements of sneaker design & materials, science and mathematics in sneaker design, pattern making physics & mechanics, 3D modeling & prototyping, sneaker customization, entrepreneurship and business fundamentals, and much more. As an added benefit, all items and shoe products created or produced during the program become the property of the participants that created the designs, so the kids can keep whatever they create!

Dirty Soles makes the perfect partner for the MyDurham Teen Program because the Art of Shoe Making course helps promote leadership development through mentoring activities designed to establish strong relationships in formal and informal settings, by creating peer-to-peer mentoring opportunities, allowing teens to make new friends, exposing them to role models in a variety of contexts, as well as training in skills such as self-confidence and conflict resolution. The program also helps foster entrepreneurial skills to help them create their own business in the future if they so desire.

“This innovative shoe design program empowers teens to bring their bold visions to life, merging imagination with fashion in a fun and exciting new way,” said Jeff Forde, Recreation Services Manager with DPR.

This partnership is the first step in DPR’s revitalization of our Teen Programming Plan to encapsulate all teen programs under the MyDurham umbrella with the goal of fostering a fun and safe environment for teens to explore their passions and have opportunities they might not have otherwise at all our recreation centers.

The MyDurham teen programs aim to help our local teenagers in a variety of ways by providing programs that provide:

Empowerment and leadership development through youth leadership initiatives and skill-building workshops
Diverse and inclusive programming
Educational and career exploration with programs like the Art of Shoe Making course, and college and career readiness workshops
Health and wellness programs that support a healthy body and mind
Community engagement through volunteer opportunities
Creative expression and innovation with different arts and media programs and innovative labs
A safe and supportive environment through mentoring and peer support programs that foster a safe space for expression
Technology and digital literacy with fun and engaging tech workshops
Adventure and outdoor activities through programs like camping trips and hikes to build teamwork, and environmental education

You can look for the full slate of the new MyDurham teen programs to roll out starting January 2025, as well as a new dedicated section called MyDurham Teen Zones in future Play More Guide publications.