WVU’s Energy Express program educates youth during pandemic
By Gabriella Brown
The WVU Extension Service is taking full advantage of summer break to feed and educate youth in West Virginia through a program known as Energy Express.
“Energy Express and programs like it are extremely important to the local communities,” said Moriah Davis, site supervisor. “They not only support the children educationally and nutritionally, but they also create a sense of community for the children and their families.”
The free, six-week reading and nutrition program provides children in low-income and rural areas the opportunity to continue building their literacy skills through art, drama and vocabulary activities. The program is for students in grades 1-6.
Davis said about 80 students are participating in Monongalia County this year, along with many more in other counties.
Due to complications created by COVID-19, Davis said, the program has had to adjust to an online format this summer; however, she said this has not stopped the program from keeping families involved.
Each week, a book is assigned and families are given packages containing various art, writing, drama and recreation activity materials based on the reading. Video tutorials of the activities, skits and read-alouds are available online as well. Because of the importance of interacting with the children, the program uses Zoom meetings and Flipgrid as an alternative to meeting in person.
“It is definitely not ideal, but our team is doing an amazing job still making this program accessible and engaging for the children of West Virginia,” Davis said.
Stephanie Snyder, site supervisor, said these challenges have not prevented the program from continuing to offer new activities to their students as well. This year, Energy Express is working with Scholastic to provide students access to all Scholastic E-books for free.
Synder said Americorp members play a big role in making the program possible. Monday through Thursday, the members meet for seven-hour shifts and prepare all the materials.
“Whether that is pre-cutting things, word-wall words, recording the read-alouds, and then Fridays we work from home virtually,” Synder said.
Pick-up locations for materials and meals are at the county’s summer feeding sites, which are Skyview Elementary, Mountain View Elementary and Mason-Dixon Elementary.
While most activities are being done from home or virtually, pop-up events, including read-alouds will be available in partnership with BOPARC. These events are set for Wednesday at Krepps Park,
July 15 at Marilla Park, July 22 at White Park and July 29 at Jack Roberts Park.
Each event will be from 2-3 p.m., and participants are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. All community members are welcome to attend the pop-up events.
“I can’t even describe how important it is,” Synder said. “This was a fun way to not only feed kids and give them the proper nutrition, but also help them develop and maintain or increase their reading level.”
Those interested are still able to register until the program is full. For more information about the program and to register, call the WVU Extension Service at 304-291-7201.
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