Taylor County Energy Express

Energy Express is an award-winning, 6-week, summer reading and nutrition program for children living in West Virginia’s rural and low-income communities.

With Energy Express, more than 3,000 children statewide gain or maintain reading levels during summer months through creative, colorful and captivating uses of art, drama and vocabulary. Our program also provides children with two nutritious meals each day during the program, helping to ensure our youths are fed each day even after the school year comes to an end. 

With the help of volunteers and mentors, students enjoy a daily read aloud to further enhance comprehension and fluency.

If you’re a parent looking to sign up your child for Energy Express, contact your local WVU Extension office. Energy Express is offered in various counties at select locations.

Download the Energy Express Child Enrollment Application

Impact of Energy Express

Energy Express Videos

Tune in Monday-Friday at 5:30 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting to catch the latest episodes of Energy Express on WVPB. Find out about each episode, grab what you need to participate (craft supplies, ingredients for recipes) and join us for the fun!

Did you miss an episode or maybe you want to go back and watch a favorite episode again? Be sure to visit our Energy Express on WVPB YouTube channel to catch the latest episodes. If you already have a YouTube account, be sure to subscribe to our channel and you’ll be notified when a new episode is available.

A Look Back at ENERGY EXPRESS 2016

81 sites in 37 counties
2,405 children reached 50% attendance with an additional 584 served
76% eligible for free and reduced price meals
21% of children served had IEPs (Individual Educational Plans)
17% of children served were from racial/ethnic minority groups

Reading

19,976 books distributed to take home
Significant increases in letter-word identification, reading fluency, passage comprehension and broad reading.
65% of children maintained or increased reading achievement in broad reading achievement.
The average child increased 1.9 months in broad reading achievement.

Nutrition

105,364 meals served to children participating in the program
17,350 meals served to other community youth

Volunteerism

52,560 volunteer hours were contributed statewide.
Average contribution of 649 volunteer hours per site
496 college students and community members were engaged in service as AmeriCorps members
2,639 family and community members served as volunteers
Average of 33 volunteers per site

WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer -- Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).
The WVU Board of Governors is the governing body of WVU. The Higher Education Policy Commission in West Virginia is responsible for developing, establishing, and overseeing the implementation of a public policy agenda for the state’s four-year colleges and universities.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to provide this content in alternate formats upon request. Contact the WVU Extension Service Office of Communications at 304-293-4222.