What is the Washington DC Youth Tour?
Each year, rural electric cooperatives across the nation sponsor roughly 1,900 students on the Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. The Youth Tour program continues to foster the grassroots spirit of the rural electric cooperatives by demonstrating to high school juniors and seniors how our government works and what the electric cooperative business model is all about. In a time when energy is at the forefront of our nation’s issues, this is a great opportunity to be an electric cooperative advocate!
Who is eligible?
In 2023, Kandiyohi Power Cooperative will sponsor an all expense paid trip to Washington DC to one qualifying candidate. The contest is open to any current high school sophomore or junior whose family is a member of our cooperative. Dependents of Kandiyohi Power Cooperative employees or directors are not eligible to participate.
Nearly 50,000 students from rural areas and small towns across America have participated in this program. The Youth Tour has brought high school students to Washington DC for a week in June every year since the late 1950s. Students gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as a citizen by meeting their Representative and Senators.
More information can be found at the National Youth Tour website: http://youthtour.coop
How do I apply?
If you want to be part of this fun (free!) week in Washington DC, please complete the online application. Applicants will be judged based on the answers to their essay questions on the following topics: Why do you want to be Kandiyohi Power Cooperative's delegate for the Youth Tour of Washington DC? What makes cooperatives different, how would you explain membership to someone in your community? and How can cooperatives reach out and engage with millennials/generation Z or your peers?
What is the application deadline?
Application deadline is February 17, 2023.
Download the Youth Tour Contest Rules