Energy Express

We are dedicated to promoting children's literacy and preventing the "Summer Slide" that occurs when children are on summer vacation.

WVU Energy Express is an award-winning, six-week, summer reading and nutrition program for children in West Virginia. With Energy Express, children statewide gain or maintain reading levels during summer months through creative, colorful, and captivating uses of art, drama, and literacy activities. Energy Express also provides children with two nutritious meals each day during the program, helping to ensure Energy Express children are fed even after the school year comes to an end.

With the help of hundreds of AmeriCorps members and volunteers every summer, Energy Express participants enjoy a daily read aloud and literacy-focused activities to further enhance language comprehension and word recognition. AmeriCorps members serving as Mentors in the program work with a small group on their reading skills by facilitating art, writing, drama, reading, and non-competitive recreation activities. AmeriCorps members serving as Community Coordinators promote community involvement by recruiting adults and youth volunteers to participate in activities and reading with children.

WVU Energy Express recently celebrated 30 years of programming, providing mentorship and literacy activities to over 84,000 children, distributing more than 1.7 million meals, with the help of over 13,600 AmeriCorps members.

AmeriCorps members who serve with the Energy Express summer program are eligible to receive a $1,565.08 educational award, $4,050 living allowance, and 300 service hours.

Learn more and get involved: https://extension.wvu.edu/youth-family/youth-education/energy-express/get-involved