VIDEO: Skateboarding With A Pro In Groton

Twenty-five kids brought their water jugs, helmets and skateboards to camp at Groton's Skate Park Monday to learn from professional Donny Barley.

Barley's leading the recreation department's skate camp, where the kids will spend each day this week from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. perfecting the basics and learning new skills.

"He looks forward to this particularly," said Barbara Yorio, of Mystic, whose grandson, Colby, 11, is in the program. "He begs me."

This is Barley's old neighborhood. He was born and raised here, grew up on Indian Field Road in a house that was recently sold, and attended Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School.

"This is my hometown and I love this place," Barley said.

Greig Williams, of Groton, said he and his best friend went to school with Barley as teenagers at Grasso Tech. Now Williams' son, 13, is in the skate camp.