Washington DC Youth Tour

The Washington DC Youth Tour emphasizes leadership development and the importance of cooperatives and civic engagement. 

We sponsor two deserving high school students to participate in the NRECA Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

 

 

The Rural Electric Cooperatives' Youth Tour to Washington DC

youth-tour-logo

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.

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!

Youth Tour Application Criteria:

  1. The student must be a junior or senior in high school in the fall of 2026; currently a sophomore or junior in high school.
  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:  All cooperatives share a concern for their communities.  Write about how your local cooperative supports your community or detail new ways they could get involved.
  5. The essay must include a cover a copy of the youth tour application, which can be found on the link below.
  6. Submit the essay to Sun River Electric Cooperative by Thursday, December 4, 2025..
2026 Youth Tour Application
2026 Youth Tour Rules
Youth Tour Resource Guide

 

SPECIAL HONORS - SREC YOUTH TOUR PARTICIPANTS

Cole Waldusky - MT Representative - NRECA Youth Leadership Council - 2024

Christopher Clark - MT Representative - NRECA Youth Leadership Council - 2003

Kelsy Burgmaier - Montana Representative - CFC Youth Consulting Board - 1996

 

SREC - Washington DC Youth Tour Winners

2025  MacKenzie Kujava, Conrad & Conor Barrett, Augusta

2024  Cole Waldusky, Conrad & Kristen Boumans, Valier

2023  Gracie Hill, Augusta

2022  Avery Schubarth & Shea Ostberg, Fairfield

2021  Madeline Konen, Fairfield & Ella Stott, Choteau (Scholarships)

2020  Kate Stephens, Dutton & Justin Forseth, Fairfield (Scholarships)

2019  Nicholas Konen, Fairfield

2018  Berit Bedord, Fairfield & Tierra Chapdelaine, Dutton

2017  Sablle Erickson, Dutton

2016  Watson Snyder, Choteau

2015  Garrett Depner, Choteau

2014  Abigail Konen, Fairfield

2013  Morgan Woods, Fairfield & Konnor Bjelland, Conrad

2012  Ryan Depner, Dutton

2011  Harleigh Vincent, Fairfield

2010  Kacey Gollehon, Choteau

2009  Sydnie Manuel-McInerney, Fairfield

2008  Katrina Eller, Fairfield

2007  Karl Bjelland, Conrad

2006  Amy Gessaman, Highwood

2005 Hannah Patterson, Fairfield

2004  Kelsey Bjelland, Conrad & Austin Odegard, Fairfield

2003  Emily Tew, Augusta & Christopher Clark, Fairfield

2002  Halsey Wallace, Fairfield & Kelsey Young, Power

2001  Kristi Grubb & Cortni Jones, Conrad & Serena Odegard, Fairfield

2000  Scott Inbody, Choteau

1999  Matt Uribe, Power

1998  Erin Tew, Augusta & Christa Caskey, Choteau

1997 Kristen Inbody & Brock Caskey, Choteau

1996  Kelsy Burgmaier, Power

1995  Jaclyn Haynes, Fairfield

1994  Chris Freeman, Augusta