HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — More than 130 Virginia teens representing schools and youth groups from across the commonwealth will be arriving at James Madison University Thursday for the 2025 YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat, Tides, Vibes, and Safe Rides. The four-day, three-night retreat offers a variety of educational and hands-on activities designed for teens who want to learn how to be safer drivers and passengers, as well as teens who want to train as leaders for youth traffic safety. The Summer Leadership Retreat is sponsored by Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO), Virginia State Police (VSP), Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (Virginia DMV) and State Farm Insurance.

Highlights for the retreat include motivational speaker Cara Filler, a simulated crash and trauma bay by VCU Project Impact, a multi-media trivia game show with TjohnE; and a variety of workshops on advocacy and young driver and passenger safety. Teens will also participate in interactive safety experiences by the Virginia Department of Transportation on traffic signal systems; DRIVE SMART Virginia on the dangers of impaired driving with a virtual simulator; Virginia Tech Transportation Institute on Sharing the Road with Trucks; Insurance Institute for Highway Safety with an “egg” activity on safety features in cars; VSP’s Distracted Driving Simulators; and more. Teens will enjoy a variety of interactive, team-building social events, to include a glow stick game, talent show, pajama night with music provide by a D.J., and the Amazing Race, “Beach” style.
“We’re excited for teens across the commonwealth to join us at JMU for the 2025 YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat,” said Callie Toler, YOVASO’s Retreat Director. “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.”
The four-day, three-night retreat concludes with an awards banquet Saturday night, July 19, to recognize students, schools, youth groups, law enforcement, community members, and business partners, for their dedicated and outstanding efforts during the 2024-2025 school year to prevent teen-related traffic crashes and fatalities on Virginia highways.