Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives presents Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
2024 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.
Monday, June 17 through Friday, June 21
Overview
- Each June, some 2,000 students and chaperones from around the United States head to Washington, D.C., for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour.
- Participants discover the important role electric cooperatives play in America.
- They spend a day visiting Capitol Hill, learning about the federal government, and meeting with their members of Congress.
- During the week, students and chaperones enjoy many of the attractions in our national capital, including
- Catching a Major League Baseball game
- Enjoying an evening at the theater
- Visiting many of the iconic sights
- Having a dinner cruise on the Potomac River
- Every year, students list meeting other participants from across America as one of their favorite things.
- Youth Tour is an amazing, jam-packed week of learning, fun, and new friends.
Eligibility
Southside Electric Cooperative will take several students on the June 17 through 21 trip and pay all their expenses. Any high school junior who lives and attends school (or home school) in SEC’s 18-county service territory is eligible to apply. Students’ parents or guardians do not have to receive electricity from SEC.
Application Process
- Students must fill out an application and submit a written essay.
- The essay should be no longer than 500 words and should explain an issue the applicant is interested in that could be discussed with a legislator.
- Students should describe the issue, why they are interested in it, and suggest a question they would ask a legislator about the topic.
- Applications and essays must be received at SEC’s headquarters in Crewe or one of the district offices in Altavista, Crewe, Dinwiddie, or Powhatan by Jan. 31, 2024.
- Applicants will be interviewed in February, and SEC’s Youth Tour delegates will be chosen in early March.
Information is also available from counselors at high schools in the Cooperative’s service area and by contacting chaperones Joy Stump via her email or (434) 645-3219 or Mark Thomas via his email or (434) 645-3276.
Deadline
All applications and essays should be received at an SEC office by Jan. 31, 2024.