HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison University is hosting a Summer Leadership Retreat to promote safe teen driving on July 14, 2022. The Virginia Peer-to-Peer Education and Prevention Program for Teen Driver and Passenger Safety (YOVASO Safari: Leading the Pack for Safe Teen Driving.) is free for all Virginia students in high school, middle school, or a part of community youth groups.
JMU is expecting 120 teens and leaders to attend. To date, the program has 90 active members and is funded by highway safety grants provided by Virginia DMV.
The overnight retreat offers educational opportunities and has activities created for teens who want to learn how to be safe drivers or have an interest in serving as leaders for youth traffic safety. The engaging activities will also train students to work with their peers at their schools and community youth groups to advocate for safe teen driving
“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,” Molly Jackson, the retreat director said.
The retreat will include speaker, Fletcher Cleaves, on “The Sky is Not the Limit;” a live-streamed crash and mock trauma bay presented by VCU Health’s Project IMPACT; Trivia Game Show; and workshops on public speaking and the power of advocacy.
Teens will also engage in hands-on safety experiences by the American Trucking Association; the Virginia Department of Transportation on work zone safety; Operation Lifesaver on railroad safety; the VSP’s Crash Reconstruction Team, K-9 Unit, and Distracted Driving Simulators; and more.
“We’re excited to be back in person for YOVASO’s Summer Leadership Retreat after not being able to meet for two years,” added Jackson.
After intensive training, workshops, and building community youth groups, will be recognized for their hard work and efforts to spread awareness for safe teen driving.
