Local Teens Lead the Charge with “Escape Vape” Project

FREE Interactive Escape Room to Educate Youth on Dangers of Vaping, Tobacco, and Cannabis

On May 9–10, 2025, the Tuolumne County Friday Night Live (FNL) youth will unveil their highly anticipated Escape Vape project at the Tuolumne Youth Center, located at 18636 Main Street, Tuolumne, CA 95379, open FREE to the public Friday 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This innovative, student-led escape room experience is designed to educate middle and high school youth about the dangers of tobacco, vaping, and cannabis use.

Escape Vape is an immersive, interactive, and relevant experience created by the Summerville Union High School Bears Campus Action Group and Dario Cassina High School Leadership Team, in partnership with the Tuolumne County Public Health, Tuolumne County Recreation Department, and the YES Partnership. Students have transformed educational content into a multi-room escape room featuring pop culture elements, puzzles, multimedia, and live role-play, providing a compelling and age-appropriate way for youth to learn about substance prevention through a multi-sensory and innovative educational tool.

Participants will navigate through three themed rooms:

• Room 1: Acquisition (Living Room) – Explore how youth access nicotine and cannabis substances in the home.

  
  

• Room 2: Use & Distribution (Science Lab & School Bathroom) – Discover the physical effects and social dynamics of vaping and drug use.

  
  

• Room 3: Intervention (Waiting Room) – Learn how to access resources, make positive choices, and find healthy coping alternatives.

“This project isn’t just about information—it’s about empowerment through experience,” says Tiffany Rizzo-Weaver, ATCAA’s Youth Development Coordinator. “By using pop culture and multi-sensory engagement, our youth are reaching their peers in ways that traditional 'don’t do it' messages can't. They’re showing what’s possible when students lead with creativity, connection, and purpose.”

The event is FREE and open to local schools, youth programs, and families. Ideal for youth grade 6th-12th Space is limited and advanced registration open to school groups and individual groups. All participants are entered to WIN PRIZES!!!

For more information contact Tiffany Rizzo-Weaver at trizzo-weaver@atcaa.org or follow @FridayNightLiveTC on Facebook.

Reserve your spot HERE