The Shadow
Harrisonburg, Va. (VR) — More than 80 Virginia teens representing schools and youth groups from across the commonwealth will be arriving at James Madison University (JMU) Thursday (July 14) for the 2022 YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat “YOVASO Safari: Leading the Pack for Safe Teen Driving.” The four-day, three-night 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. The Summer Leadership Retreat is sponsored by Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO), Virginia State Police (VSP), Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV) and State Farm Insurance.
The annual leadership retreat is being held on the JMU campus in Harrisonburg, Va., from July 14 through July 17. More than 120 students and adult leaders are registered to attend. The four-day experience will prepare teens to work in peer-to-peer programs in their schools or through community youth groups to promote safe teen driving and help prevent motor vehicle crashes among teens
Highlights for the retreat include motivational speaker, Fletcher Cleaves on “The Sky is Not the Limit;” a live simulated crash and mock trauma bay presented by VCU Health’s Project IMPACT; a multi-media TjohnE Trivia Game Show; and workshops on public speaking and the power of advocacy. Teens will also participate in interactive safety experiences by the American Trucking Association; the Virginia Department of Transportation on work zone safety; Operation Lifesaver on railroad safety; and the 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, and the Amazing Race, “Safari” style.
“We’re excited to be back in-person for YOVASO’s Summer Leadership Retreat after not being able to meet for two years,” said Molly Jackson, Retreat Director. “The retreat provides a fun and educational experience for all teens, whether they are looking to be safer drivers, learn leadership skills, get involved in community service opportunities, or prepare for future careers.”
The four-day, three-night retreat concludes with an awards banquet to recognize students, schools, youth groups, and law enforcement, for their dedicated and outstanding efforts during the 2021-2022 school year to prevent teen-related traffic crashes and fatalities on Virginia highways.
YOVASO is Virginia’s Peer-to-Peer Education and Prevention Program for Teen Driver and Passenger Safety; YOVASO is a program of VSP and is funded by highway safety grants from the Virginia DMV. Program membership is free and open to all Virginia high schools, middle schools, and youth groups. YOVASO currently has 90 active member schools and youth groups.
