Youth Resilience Leadership Summit

The West Virginia University Center for Resilient Communities is excited to host the WV Youth Resilience Leadership Summit, a unique summer experience designed to inspire, connect, and empower young people across West Virginia.

This three-day, two-night summit welcomes:

• High school students ages 14–17
• Aspiring youth mentors ages 18–22

Hosted on the campus of West Virginia University, the summit offers an engaging and supportive environment where students can explore leadership, creativity, resilience, and community impact through hands-on experiences — not lectures or traditional classroom activities.

Participants will:

• Connect with mentors and community leaders
• Meet motivated students from across the state
• Experience college campus life
• Participate in interactive learning labs and team activities
• Enjoy concerts, outdoor games, and social events
• Develop ideas for making a difference in their communities

At the heart of the summit is one powerful belief: Young people have the ability to transform themselves, their schools, and their communities.

Cost

• First 75 participants attend free
• Scholarships are available for all students in need
• Standard summit cost: $695
  
• Includes housing, meals, and all activities

• Pre-work will be mailed to each participant’s home and must be completed prior to arrival.
• Students will collect and bring community artifacts such as:Photos
• Music selections
• Community reflections

All participants will stay in supervised dorm housing at Oakland Hall on the WVU campus. WVU student mentors and staff will be present 24 hours a day to ensure a safe and supportive experience.

Meals will be provided through WVU Dining Services.

Check-In

• Friday, July 24 beginning at 9 a.m.

Check-Out

• Sunday, July 26 beginning at 3 p.m.

Preliminary Schedule

Friday, July 24

• Registration & Check-In
• Interactive activities using maps, photos, and music
• Evening concert and arts workshop on the Oakland Hall Green

Saturday, July 25

• Resilience Exploration Labs
• Problem-solving and team-building activities
• Evening Summit Games at the WVU Recreation Center Fields

Sunday, July 26

• Action-planning workshops
• Closing ceremony and reflections
• Gallery of student leadership commitments

• Chrysanthe Kallimanis, Program Coordinator
  
• Dr. Bradley Wilson, CRC Director