(Salem, Va.) — Virginia teens who will start high school in the fall through graduating seniors, are invited to register for the YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat happening at James Madison University (JMU) July 11 – 14, 2024. The cost is $15 per teen to attend. The four-day, three-night event will incorporate fun and learning with a space theme and goal to “Empower Stars for Safe Teen Driving.” The Retreat offers a variety of educational and hands-on activities designed for teens who want to learn how to be safer drivers and passengers, as well as teens who want to train as leaders for youth traffic safety or simply gain leadership skills. The Summer Leadership Retreat is sponsored by Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO), a program of the Virginia State Police (VSP).
The annual event is being held on the JMU campus in Harrisonburg, Va. Community youth groups, church youth groups, and school clubs are also encouraged to register and may register up to 6 students and 1 adult advisor for a discounted team fee of $75. The retreat offers a unique experience for teens interested in community service or careers in health and safety, law enforcement, or teaching.
Highlights for the retreat include motivational speaker and performing artist, Shaun Derik on “Speaking is Easy, But Saying Something is The H.A.R.D. Part;” a behind-the-wheel defensive driver training experience with B.R.A.K.E.S.; a multi-media trivia game show with TjohnE; and workshops on public speaking and the power of advocacy. Teens will also participate in interactive safety experiences by the Virginia Department of Transportation on work zone safety; Operation Lifesaver, Inc. on railroad safety; DRIVE SMART Virginia on the dangers of impaired driving with a virtual simulator; Harrisonburg Police Department on seat belt safety with a seat belt simulator; VSP’s Crash Reconstruction Team, K-9 Unit, and Distracted Driving Simulators; and more. Teens will enjoy a variety of interactive, team-building social events, to include a glow stick game, talent show, pajama night with music provide by a D.J., and the Amazing Race, “Space” style.
The four-day, three-night experience will prepare teens to be safer, more responsible drivers; and prepare them to work in peer-to-peer programs in their schools or through community youth groups to promote safe teen driving and aid in the prevention of teen motor vehicle crashes.
“We are excited to provide this unique and inexpensive opportunity for young drivers to learn from experts in the field of highway safety,” emphasized Mary King, YOVASO program manager. “Our VSP troopers, staff, and guest presenters enjoy working with teens and are dedicated to providing safe driving programs that are fun, yet impactful. We hope all teens will take advantage of this low-cost program and join us in July to learn how to be safer drivers and passengers.”
On the final night of the Retreat, YOVASO will host an awards banquet to recognize students, schools, youth groups, and law enforcement, for their dedicated and outstanding efforts during the 2023-2024 school year to prevent teen-related traffic crashes and fatalities on Virginia highways.
Rising high school students through graduating seniors and youth groups interested in attending the retreat can learn more and register at www.yovaso.org/summer-retreat. For questions about the retreat, email Mary King at mary.king@vsp.virginia.gov. The $15 individual fee and $75 team fee includes overnight accommodations, meals, sessions, and all materials needed to participate in the retreat. Participants will also receive a retreat-themed t-shirt, backpack, lanyard, and water bottle. Registration is ongoing and will continue through June 21. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged to reserve a spot for the B.R.A.K.E.S. Defensive Driving experience as only the first 60 teens with a learner’s or driver’s license who register for the activity will be eligible to participate (see the YOVASO website for more details).
The retreat is sponsored by YOVASO, VSP, and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles in partnership with State Farm Insurance. YOVASO is Virginia’s Peer-to-Peer Education and Prevention Program for Teen Driver and Passenger Safety. Membership in YOVASO is free and open to all Virginia high schools, middle schools, and youth groups. YOVASO currently has 130 participating schools and youth groups.
