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West Virginia University Adventure WV

Appalachian Community Leadership Program

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

Adventure WV is partnering with the WVU Center for Resilient Communities to offer an exciting experiential learning opportunity to inspire students to be leaders in food, environment and economic justice across West Virginia.

Complete the Interest Form

AppAlachian Community Leadership Program | WV

  • Length: 7 Days | May 11th - 17th, 2026
  • Cost: $760.00 - payment plans are available
  • Credits: Optional 3 credits for Fall 2026
Complete the Interest Form

Do you want to explore the natural beauty of West Virginia, learn what it takes to create sustainable, resilient and vibrant communities, meet inspiring community leaders, and get to know other passionate students at WVU?


The Appalachian Community Leadership Program includes a mix of outdoor learning and community engagement activities co-facilitated by AWV and CRC staff. The program provides community leadership development activities and group dialogue about what it takes to promote community change in Appalachia.

The Appalachian Community Leadership program will run from May 11th to 17th, 2026, Outdoor activities will include hiking, rafting, and camping in Chestnut Ridge, Cheat River and New River Gorge.

Engagement activities will include walking tours with community leaders working on environmental restoration, food justice and farming, arts-based community building and neighborhood economic development in Morgantown, Charleston, Fayetteville and Princeton WV. Participants will stay at AWV’s Outdoor Education Center in Morgantown, spend a night in Charleston, and camp at River Expeditions in Fayetteville.

Please Note: This trip is for any outdoor experience level and all Adventure WV trips require that students meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria.

2026 Trip Itinerary!

Day  Date   What's Happening?
1  5/11  Introduction & team building at the Outdoor Education Center
2  5/12  Environmental regeneration, renewal, and restoration with Friends of the Cheat
3  5/13  Visiting local partners around Morgantown revolving around food, community engagement, and art
4  5/14  Exploring and visiting partners in Charleston, WV 
5  5/15  New Roots Community Farm Visit in Fayetteville, WV and white water rafting on the New River          
6  5/16  Exploring and visiting partners in Princeton, WV
7  5/17  Exploring Fayetteville area and returning to Morgantown

payment options

  • To help provide more flexiblity,  students can now elect to pay a $95.00 initial deposit to secure their spot on the trip. This fee becomes non-refundable 30 days before our departure date.
  • The remaining balance can then be paid over time, alleviating the need to pay the full amount upfront.
  • Students will have the option to post their remaining balances to either their student account via a STAR Charge or opt into a periodic payment plan through our WVUGo platform.  
  • Both these options are subject to payment deadlines and other criteria.
  • Payment deadline for this program is April 1st, 2026.
  • Visit our Guided Trip Policy and Details  page for additional information on registration and cancellation procedures.

Questions

Have questions or would like to talk through the SOAR program details? Email Morgan Haas to get connected to our team of staff and faculty coordinating the Appalachian Community Leadership Program.