GEAR UP SWV is committed to helping the class of 2028 and 2029 in Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Raleigh and Wyoming County public schools graduate from high school and succeed in 2 or 4 year college. This means supporting students, teachers and of course parents/guardians and even other family members who are part of the college going journey for these students. This page is meant to provide a central location for students and the family to find information about the resources provided by GEAR UP SWV. This includes GEAR UP SWV Family Engagement Coordinator, Catrice Robinson. Call 304-384-6231 and find out ways you and your student can get involved! You can also find how to take advantage of GEAR UP SWV programs on this page.
GEAR UP SWV Summer Camps
GEAR UP SWV is excited to announce the 2024 Summer Camps! GEAR UP SWV supports opportunities for cohort students attending public school in Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming Counties to attend camps, explore professions, and more. Every rising 8th and 9th grade student attending public school in Summers, Wyoming, Mercer, Monroe and Raleigh Counties is part of the cohort and eligible to apply and attend! The opportunities will help GEAR UP SWV cohort students bridge the “summer slump” gap while exploring careers, and even college. GEAR UP SWV students are those attending public school in Summers, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh and Wyoming Counties and will graduate high school in the year 2028 or 2029. In 2024 GEAR UP SWV students can apply for 5 summer camps!
- GEAR UP SWV – WVU Tech STEM Camp (overnight camp)
- Be Your Own Boss – New River Community and Technical College (day camp)
- Student Leadership Retreat (overnight camp) Local Coordinator Nominated
- GEAR UP SWV Adventure STEM Camp (day camp)
- Concord University Media Camp (day camp)
- Summer Boss Program (virtual camp)
- New River CTC Outdoor Adventure Leadership Camp (day camp) – CAMP FULL – Additional student registrations will be placed on a waiting list.
Space is limited so sign up today! More details on the 2024 Summer Camp Flyer below. Email gearup@concord.edu for more info.
GEAR UP SWV – WVU Tech STEM Camp
Apply Here
Who: Open to 40 students in the GEAR UP SWV cohort – First come – first serve basis
What: 5-night, 6-day STEM camp held at WVU Tech campus in Beckley. Students will stay in the dorms on the campus of WVU Tech. Meals are included. Some of the curriculum activities include Introduction to Engineering, Robotics, Nursing, and Physics. There will also be lots of other fun activities.
When: June 16, 2024 – June 21, 2024 (Overnight camp)
Where: WVU Tech, Beckley Campus, 400 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV 25801
(Download GEAR UP SWV WVU Tech Stem Camp flyer)
Be your Own Boss- New River CTC
Apply Here (Select “New River CTC Be Your Own Boss Camp”)
Where: New River Community and Technical College, 280 University Drive, Beaver, WV
When: July 9, 2024 -July 11, 2024 from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM (Day program)
Who: Any GEAR UP SWV student (every public school student in Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Wyoming and Raleigh Counties class of 2028 and 2029)
Room for up to 50 students in the GEAR UP SWV cohort will When: July 9-11th from 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM (Day program). Educational workshops that teach students creativity, brand building, and steps to starting a business. Students will be provided with the opportunity to design their own piece of apparel and receive the finished product. At the completion of the program, each student has the option to start their own e-commerce business with No fees or associated costs.
GEAR UP SWV Adventure STEM Day Camp
Apply Here (Select “Ace Adventure STEM Camp” and appropriate county)
Ace Adventure Resort, 1 Concho Rd., Oak Hill, WV, 25901
Who: Open to any student in the GEAR UP SWV cohort (limited availability – 30 spots per day)
What: 1-day camp geared towards STEM activities in the morning associated with Ecology – Zip-lining through the New River Gorge. The afternoon will consist of lunch and fun at the water park. STEM – ACE Adventure Resort (aceraft.com)
When: July 30, 2024 – August 1, 2024, 8am-4pm
Mercer County – July 30, 2024
Raleigh County – July 31, 2024
Summers, Monroe, Wyoming Counties – August 1, 2024
Where: Ace Adventure Resort, 1 Concho Rd., Oak Hill, WV, 25901
(Download the flyer here: GEAR UP SWV Adventure Stem Camp 2024)
Concord Media Camp
Apply Here (select “Journalism Media Day Camp”)
Where:Concord University, 1000 Vermillion St., Athens, WV 24712
When: June 24, 2024 – June 28, 2024 from 9:00 AM- 3:30 PM (Day program)
Who: Any GEAR UP SWV student (every public school student in Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Wyoming and Raleigh Counties class of 2028 and 2029)
This FREE engaging day camp allows students to explore the field of media through journalism, broadcasting instruction, and exploration. Students will learn the basics of digital and broadcast media through hands on instruction at Concord University’s WVCU-LPFM; a LIVE radio station! Students will also experience a TV and what it is like to produce, direct, and deliver a LIVE TV news show.
New River CTC Adventure Leadership Camp – CAMP FULL – Additional student registrations will be placed on a waiting list.
Where: New River Community and Technical College, Beaver, WV
When: June 10, 2024 –June 14, 2024
Who: Any GEAR UP SWV student (every public school student in Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Wyoming and Raleigh Counties class of 2028 and 2029)
What: The New River CTC Adventure Leadership Camp from June 10, 2024 –June 14, 2024 features rock climbing, zip-lining, STEM activities, hiking, team building, water park, Social Emotional Learning activities, and more! Drop-off and Pick-up will be at New River Community and Technical College, 280 University Drive, Beaver, WV, 25813. Students will be traveling to various off-site locations to participate in activities. Some off site locations include Summit Bechtel Reserve, Ace Adventure Waterpark and Arrowhead Mountain Bike Farm.
