GEAR UP SWV Opens Applications for 2026 Summer Camp Grants

Athens, W.Va. – GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (GEAR UP SWV) is now accepting applications for its 2026 Summer Camp Grants. The funds provide students and their families with financial support to attend enriching, career-focused summer camps and activities.

Designed to expand access to meaningful summer opportunities, these grants help remove financial barriers for students who want to explore their interests and future career paths. Eligible ninth and tenth-grade students may receive up to $500 to cover the cost of a GEAR UP SWV-approved camp.

In addition to GEAR UP SWV-hosted camps, students have the flexibility to apply for funding to attend a camp of their choice. Approved camps should focus on academic or career-related experiences that could lead to a college degree or future profession.

Examples of qualifying camps include programs such as Concord University Esports and 4-H camps, though students are not limited to these options.

“Every student deserves the chance to explore their interests and imagine their future,” said GEAR UP SWV IHE Coordinator Kristen Williams. “These grants help make those opportunities possible, especially for students who may not otherwise be able to attend.”

Students in the GEAR UP SWV cohort are encouraged to find a camp they are passionate about and apply for funding support. This includes students in the classes of 2028 and 2029 attending Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Raleigh, and Wyoming County public schools.

Applications for the 2026 Summer Camp Grants are open now through May 22.

Students can apply at this link: https://apps.concord.edu/forms/view.php?id=704663

About GEAR UP SWV: GEAR UP Southern West Virginia (GEAR UP SWV) prepares students for success and careers after high school by providing tools, support, and real-world experiences. Serving the classes of 2028 and 2029 in Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming counties’ public schools, GEAR UP SWV also works with teachers, administrators, and families to strengthen the entire educational community.

GEAR UP SWV is a $20.3 million, 50% cost-share program led by Concord University in partnership with New River Community and Technical College. This program is part of the national Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

The contents of this publication were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and endorsement by the Federal Government should not be assumed.

Learn more at GEARUPSWV.org or by following GEAR UP SWV on social media.

GEAR UP SWV; securing a legacy of strength and resilience in Appalachia.