Registration Opens March 9 for GEAR UP SWV 2026 Summer Camps

For Immediate Release

Athens, W.Va. – Registration opens March 9 for GEAR UP SWV’s 2026 Summer Camps, offering students across Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Raleigh, and Wyoming Counties free, hands-on experiences designed to build confidence, spark career exploration, and strengthen the path to college and life after high school. This year, students can select from two overnight camps and five-day camps.

GEAR UP SWV summer camps go beyond fun. Each camp is intentionally designed to help students discover their interests, develop real-world skills, and stay motivated while school is out. From exploring high-demand careers to experiencing campus life firsthand, students take meaningful steps toward their future goals.

Vital Path – Healthcare

June 2–3, 2026 (Optional CPR Certification: June 4)

Beaver Campus – New River Community and Technical College

Groundbreakers – Introduction to Heavy Machinery

June 8–9, 2026

Ghent Campus – New River Community and Technical College

Sewing with Fire – Welding

June 8–9, 2026

Ghent Campus – New River Community and Technical College

Adventure Camp

June 11–12, 2026

Beaver Campus – New River Community and Technical College

Concord Cool Academy: Tracks to the Future

June 16–19, 2026 (Overnight)

Concord University – Athens, W.Va.

Beautiful U! – Cosmetology

June 24–25, 2026

Beaver Campus – New River Community and Technical College

GEAR UP SWV / WVU Tech STEM Camp

June 29 – July 1, 2026 (Overnight)

West Virginia University Institute of Technology – Beckley, W.Va.

“For many of our students, summer can either be a setback or a springboard,” said Dr. Sheila Barnhart Womack, Director of GEAR UP SWV. “We want it to be a springboard. These camps remove financial barriers and open doors to experiences that help students see what’s possible for their future.”

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.