Youth Summit | Try This WV

Please join us for the third annual Try This WV Youth Summit!

June 5th & 6th

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Buckhannon WV

The Try This Youth Summit is FREE for all!

Our theme, chosen by our Youth Advisory Board:

West Virginia Heritage!

Click here to REGISTER

Gaining strength and perspective from the past
What can you do at the youth summit?

brainstorming
& Learning

West Virginians will share their work, ideas, and passions with you in breakout sessions geared toward young folks, with some presentations coming from youth themselves. You'll have a chance to share your ideas and inspire others throughout the day.

Leadership

This an opportunity for young folks to demonstrate and develop leadership skills from a community organizing perspective. You can learn about grant writing, entrepreneurship, advocacy, how to run your own project, and more.

Healthy food
& Fun!

You can enjoy activities like aerial yoga, gaga ball, paddling, tai chi, giant bubbles, sword fighting, and more. Meals are cooked with health in mind with opportunities for you to learn how to cook them!

Building Community

This Youth Summit is organized and designed with youth input--a safe space to BE YOURSELF. You'll get free time to laugh with new friends, explore partner exhibit tables, join fun activities at your own pace, or take space away to do art in the art room. Come share your bold ideas for a future you want for young West Virginians - your voice is important!

Location and schedule

Anytime activities

Exhibitor Tables

Art Room and Display Gallery

Crafts/Games

Physical Activities - yoga mats, bouncy balls, stepping stones, chalk, jump rope, etc.

Prompts for youth to respond to throughout campus

Theme-based scavenger hunt

The 2026 Try This Youth Summit Will be at WV Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV.

We will begin at the WV Wesleyan College dining hall at

69 Camden Ave in Buckhannon.

Parking is across the street - just follow the signs!

8:30-9:45am

10:00-10:30am

10:30-10:50am

11:00-11:30am

12:30-1:45pm

11:30am-12:15pm

Opening Session

Getting Oriented

Ice Breaker Activity

Lunch

2:00-3:15pm

5:00-6:00pm

3:30-4:45pm

9:15-10:15pm

5:00-6:00pm

7:30-9:00pm

Campfire

Square Dance

Dinner

Lights Out in Dunn hall

10:30pm

Drop Off / Arrival / Register/ Breakfast Earliest arrival is 8:30 AM. Drop off will beat the fountain. Parking located beside Dunn Hall.

Breakout Sessions A

Breakout Sessions B

Breakout Sessions C

Evening Physical Activities

8:00-9:30am

8:45-9:45am

12:30-1:45pm

10:00-11:15am

11:30am-12:15pm

2:00-2:45pm

Morning Physical Activities

Breakout Sessions D

Breakfast

Breakout Sessions E

Lunch

Closing Activity

2:45-3:00pm

Pick Up/Departure

This year, we want to ensure that EVERYONE can attend. This means that everyone, including parents, guardians, and chaperones, can attend for free. This includes all activities, meals, and overnight stays in the dorms.

registration

We are so excited for you to join us this year! Please read this section of registration information carefully. If you have any questions, please email us at trythiswv@gmail.com.

Attendance is free for everyone - that includes all of our activities, food, dorm rooms, and a t-shirt for youth.

Permissions form
Click here to access the form

All Youth Summit attendees must complete a permissions form before attending the event!

Attendees 18-22: complete a permissions form before attending the event.

Attendees 13-17: must complete a permissions form with their parent/guardian before attending the event.

Attendees 12 and under: parent/guardian must complete the permissions form before attending the event, and must chaperone attendees under 12 throughout the event.

Lodging

Dorm rooms in Dunn Hall on WV Wesleyan College are available for Thursday 6/4 (for volunteers and those traveling long distances) and for Friday 6/5. All dorms are free for attendees.

To help Try This be responsible with our funds, we request that attendees room with family or friends when possible. There is space to write in a roommate below. Each dorm has 2 beds and can accommodate 2 people. Bathrooms are shared between 2 dorm rooms and have 1 sink, 1 toilet, and 1 shower. Unless they are family members, youth under 18 may not room with anyone over 18.

Attendees staying in the dorms must provide their own toiletries and linens, including towels, XL twin sheets, pillows, blankets, and all bathroom and shower gear. These are not hotel rooms - the only thing provided is the XL twin bed, bathroom space, and toilet paper. Bring your own toiletries!

Star

Click to download a suggested packing list.

Alternative

Lodging

If you would prefer to stay in a hotel or at a nearby campsite, please check out these alternatives. Click the links below to learn more:

Hotels:

Baxa Inn - Buckhannon
Bicentennial Inn - Buckhannon
Best Western - Buckhannon
Comfort Inn - Buckhannon

Campsites:

Audra State Park - Buckhannon

ready to register?

Frequently asked questions

We're here to help!

“I’ve never been to a Youth Summit.”

"I get anxious doing something new, or staying away from home."

“I’m worried my experience level / appearance / sexual orientation / age / history with drugs / education level / income...means I won’t fit in.”

Try This is a space for all West Virginia youth to feel invited and welcome. We hope our work reaches people who might feel this way, or have been told these things would prevent them from making a difference in your community. Regardless of the above, Try This is a place for you! We are here to help make your experience as comfortable and rewarding as possible.

When you register, please feel free to share any accommodations we might provide or concerns you have about feeling safe and accepted at the Youth Summit!

“Can I register more than one person at a time?”

Unfortunately no. You will have to register each attendee one at a time, including adults who are attending as a chaperone/parent/guardian.

If you need assistance with registering, please reach out to trythiswv@gmail.com.

“Do you need volunteers to help?”

YES! Each year, Try This has dozens of folks help make the Youth Summit + Conference possible. The best part is that our volunteers get to enjoy the activities and presentations while volunteering, and Try This covers the cost. This event also qualifies as an AmeriCorps service project. If you're interested in joining our volunteer team, please reach out to trythiswv@gmail.com.

“Can I / my child come to the Youth Summit if they are outside the 13-22 age range?”

Absolutely - this age range serves as a guide for who will get the most out of our event, but younger West Virginians are also welcome to join, as long as their parent/guardian stays with them at all times.

"What should I expect to be doing? What should I wear? What should I bring?"

The Try This Youth Summit are what you make it, so that's up to you! However, we advise you pack for comfort. It will be quite warm in June, and there will be lots of activities for you to enjoy - like aerial yoga, fling golf, tai chi, and more - so we recommend wearing tennis shoes and something you'd feel comfortable getting active in. Here is a packing list that might be helpful!

“I want to come, but I can't afford to. Can you help?”

The Youth Summit is free for all to attend for exactly this reason! However, we understand that there are sometimes other things that prevent you from coming - like the cost of travel, not having bedding for the dorms, etc. Please reach out to us at trythiswv@gmail.com - we will do what we can to help!