It was the last day of summer vacation, and Simi Valley students Grant Bowers and Roy Canright spent the day teaching.

The boys, both 15, taught skateboarding Tuesday to eight kids from Casa Pacifica, a Camarillo-based organization that serves abused, neglected and emotionally disturbed children.

Bowers and Canright provided the lessons for free, and SkateLab, an indoor skateboard park in Simi Valley, provided the place and equipment.

Bowers, who has been skateboarding for four years and works at SkateLab with Canright, said he wanted to teach kids who might not otherwise have the chance to learn the sport he loves.

"Everyone deserves a chance to learn, and I'm just doing what I love to do and sharing it with them," Bowers said. "And I like teaching kids. When I see them skateboard, it feels good."

The day was the culmination of several months of planning among the staff at Casa Pacifica, SkateLab manager Todd Huber and Bowers' mom, Betsy, who said her son got the idea after reading a story in the Ventura County Star about the kids at Casa Pacifica.

"Grant read about the kids going to surf camp this summer, and he came to me and said, Mom, that is very cool. I want to do the same thing,'" Betsy Bowers said. She then contacted Casa Pacifica and SkateLab.

Bowers and Canright taught the kids skateboarding basics, including correct foot placement and how to fall off the skateboard.

The Casa kids, ages 11 to 17, were decked out in helmets and elbow and knee pads. Some had experience with skateboarding and went up and down the ramps and half-pipes with ease. One 11-year-old girl could do basic skateboarding but never had been on a half-pipe before. Canright showed her how to place one end of the skateboard on the tip of the half-pipe ramp and to drop in the other end.

"It's a little scary but fun at the same time. I love this," said the girl, who successfully went down the half-pipe after several tries.

The children's names are not being published to protect their identities.

Ingrid Cleffi, recreation therapist supervisor, said the kids at Casa Pacifica have surfed, sailed and kayaked this summer. The skateboarding was the last sports activity planned for the summer, since many of the children are heading back to school this week and next week.

"When the kids found out they'd be skateboarding this week, they were very excited," said Cleffi, "We try to give the kids as many experiences as possible, and these kind of activities gives them a chance to integrate socially with others, which is very important."

After the lessons, Bowers gave the kids many of his skateboarding T-shirts, equipment and books. He hopes many of the kids decide to come back to SkateLab, and he wants to provide more lessons for them.

After watching some of his students successfully master some of the techniques he taught them and seeing the smiles on their faces, Bowers said his last day of vacation was well spent.

"This is the perfect way to end the summer."