There’s learning — and then there’s doing.
At Black Diamond Gymnastics & Sports Center, “learning by doing” is more than a philosophy; it’s a way of life. Whether on the beam, at the front desk, or in the community, growth happens when you take a leap and apply what you’ve learned in real life.
That same principle drives the PCCAPS Park City Center for Advanced Professional Studies (PCCAPS) — a national initiative that pairs students with local businesses for hands-on, project-based learning. Each semester, Black Diamond hosts students who are ready to roll up their sleeves and tackle real-world challenges.
This fall, seniors Kendall Bankson and Parker Bogan jumped right in, designing a community-wide survey to help better understand what local families want from youth sports and movement programs. Guided by Black Diamond mentors, they’re learning through experimentation rather than instruction — testing ideas, refining strategies, and discovering what happens when there’s no textbook answer.
Learning by Doing
“I didn’t want to just hear about marketing — I wanted to do marketing.”
— Parker Bogan, PCHS Senior
For both students, the project represented a new kind of challenge.
Parker: “I didn’t want to just hear about marketing — I wanted to do marketing. We’re helping a real business make decisions, which feels both exciting and challenging.”
Kendall: “Exactly. It’s not ‘follow these steps,’ it’s ‘figure it out.’ At first, that’s a little nerve-racking, but it’s empowering. We’re learning to listen to best ideas and take feedback.”
The survey is designed to give families in the greater Park City area a voice in shaping the next generation of youth programming.
Kendall: “We’re asking families what they want — more flexible schedules, more competitive opportunities, or new ways to get kids moving. The answers will help Black Diamond and other local programs better meet those needs.”
From question design to promotion and analysis, the students are leading the strategy — learning what every entrepreneur must: how to ask the right questions before you build.
The Power of Freedom
“Once we let go of trying to do everything ‘right,’ we started coming up with better ideas.”
— Parker Bogan
Parker: “At first, we wanted to do everything ‘right.’ Once we let go of that, we started coming up with better ideas.”
Kendall: “There was a moment when I realized, ‘This isn’t about grades — it’s about growth.’ That shift motivated us to take real ownership of our work.”
For Black Diamond, giving students that creative freedom has been just as rewarding. The CAPS partnership brings fresh eyes, new ideas, and questions that challenge the team to keep evolving.
Real-World Impact
Through this collaboration, both students and mentors have gained perspective.
Kendall: “The most valuable thing I’ve learned is how important clarity and consistency are. Black Diamond has such a strong identity — it’s made me realize that great marketing is really about trust and connection.”
Parker: “I’ve learned that business isn’t as linear as it looks on paper. There’s a lot of trial and error, and that’s okay — it’s part of the process.”
For Black Diamond, it’s a living example of youth development in action — teaching creativity, communication, and accountability, the skills that truly build leaders.
Looking Ahead
The success of this semester’s project has opened the door for more opportunities in the future.
Each term, Black Diamond plans to offer new challenges — event planning, storytelling, analytics — giving local students space to explore, experiment, and create something real.
Kendall: “My advice to other students is to do it, even if you don’t feel ready. You’ll figure it out as you go — that’s the point.”
As Kendall and Parker wrap up their semester-long project, their findings may shape the future of youth programming — but the lessons they’ve learned will shape the rest of their lives.
Because at Black Diamond — and in CAPS classrooms — the motto is simple:
Don’t just read about it. Do it.
