What is the Rural Electric Cooperatives' Youth Tour to Washington DC?

Every June, as many as 1,500 high school students from across the country spend a week in the nation's capital as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The students are sponsored by their local electric cooperatives – cooperatives that are committed to educating America's rural youth about America and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.

Participating in the Youth Tour is an awesome way to learn about this great nation, develop leadership skills, gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, and make friendships that will last beyond the week!

2024 Youth Tour Contest Rules:

  1. The student must be a junior or senior in high school in the fall of 2024.  (Currently a sophomore or junior).
  2. Student cannot be a prior winner of the youth tour.
  3. The student and/or parent or guardian must be served by Sun River Electric Cooperative, Inc.
  4. The student must write an essay on the following topic:  "If you could have dinner with one prominent Washington, D.C. figure, whether from the present or past, who would that person be and why?  What would you ask them?"
  5. The essay must include a cover page with the student’s name, address, telephone number, and the name of their rural electric cooperative, and a copy of the youth tour application that can be found on the link below.
  6. Submit the essay to Sun River Electric Cooperative by December 1, 2023.

Essay Contest Form and Information

Dates for the youth tour are June 14-21, 2024.

If you have any questions, call Leanne at SREC, 406-467-2526.

 

Past Winners:

2023 - Gracie Hill

2022 - Avery Schubarth & Shea Ostberg

2021 - Madeline Konen & Ella Stott (Scholarship)

2020 - Kate Stephens (MECA Winner) & Justin Forseth (Scholarship)

2019 - Nicholas Konen

2018 - Berit Bedord (MECA Winner) & Tierra Chapdelaine (Scholarship)

2017 - Sabelle Erickson

2016 - Watson Snyder

2015 - Garrett Depner

2014 - Abigail Konen

2013 - Morgan Woods (MECA Winner) & Konnor Bjelland (Scholarship)