Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. 

Today is Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.

West Virginia’s charming small towns have something for everyone -- and here are 7 you might want to check out for your next getaway…Attention, high school and middle school students: show off your skills and creativity with the 2025 WV Bridge Design and Build Contest…and registration is now open for the 2026 trek at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve--hurry up, because spots fill up fast …on today’s daily304.

#1 – From WORLD ATLAS – West Virginia beckons travelers with a promising motto: “Almost Heaven.” Spanning parts of the American southeast, midwest, and mid-Atlantic, the Mountain State holds within its borders a wealth of vacation destinations where some choose to return frequently—or move there for good.

Check out some charming towns just right for a weekend getaway -- from Elkins (Gateway to the Monongahela National Forest), to the Victorian charm of Parkersburg, to the Civil War influence of Harpers Ferry. You’ll find cultural attractions, recreational offerings, wonderful local cuisine, cozy lodging and more.

Visit wvtourism.com to learn more and start planning your Almost Heaven itinerary today.

https://www.worldatlas.com/places/7-incredible-vacation-spots-in-west-virginia.html

#2 – From WOAY-TV – The West Virginia Department of Transportation is inviting all middle and high school students across the Mountain State to participate in the 2025 WV Bridge Design and Build contest.

The competition focuses on engineering, using real-world design principles in software with which students design their bridges.

Students have until Feb 28 to. submit qualifying round entries.

Registration is free and you can sign up at wvbridgedesignandbuildcontest.com.

https://woay.com/wvdot-accepting-entries-for-2025-wv-bridge-design-and-build-contest/#google_vignette

#3 – From SCOUTING MAGAZINE – Now’s the time to finalize your planning for Scouting America’s high-adventure offerings for summer 2026.

Registration is now open for 2026 treks at several scouting camps, including the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve. The Summit is a multipurpose, year-round destination for Scouting activities and adventures. Located near Beckley, West Virginia, activities include whitewater rafting, rock climbing, biking, skateboarding and zip lining.

The property’s location provides participants access to the New River, one of the most sought-after recreational rivers in North America, and along with it, the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. One of the most popular treks offered at the Summit is the New River Experience, a 50-mile paddle trek down the river.

Treks can and do sell out, so Scouts, parents and unit leaders are encouraged to register as soon as they are able.

https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2025/01/13/high-adventure-base-registration-for-summer-2026-opens-this-week-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304.

The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.

That’s all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

daily304 - Episode 01.23.2025