Youth Tour is back!  Get ready for an experience of a lifetime! 

June 16 - 21, 2025

 

 

 

Youth Tour is an all-inclusive trip to Washington DC.  It is a chance for young adults to learn more about what a cooperative is, bond with fellow students, meet elected officials and experience the sites of our nation’s capital.  Every year New Enterprise Rural Electric Cooperative along with electric cooperatives across the country sponsors high school juniors to attend the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

While in Washington, students will visit Arlington National Cemetery, Iwo Jima Sunset Parade, the National Zoo, the Holocaust Museum and enjoy a ride down the Potomac.  Youth Tour is so much more than a sightseeing trip. Students have repeatedly shared that this experience has helped them grow into successful professionals. It has also benefited our local communities. Youth Tour participants return home with a deeper understanding and skillset of what it takes to be leader, and as a result, they put these skills to use right here in our community.  Without a doubt, Youth Tour has grown into an invaluable program that gives young Americans an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Interested…..Each student whose parents or guardians are members of New Enterprise REC, will complete an application found on our website, with your school guidance counselor or at the co-op office.  A short video needs to be produced or a short essay wrote on the topic: “What are the benefits of an experience such as Youth Tour for a High School Junior?”  Lastly, each student will participate in an interview at the cooperative office usually hold in May.

THE ORIGIN OF THE YOUTH TOUR

Senator Lyndon Johnson inspired the Youth Tour when he addressed the NRECA Annual Meeting in Chicago in 1957. The Senator declared, "If one thing goes out of this meeting, it will be sending youngsters to the national capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents."

Consequently, beginning in 1957, some of the Texas electric cooperatives sent groups of young people to Washington to work during the summer in Senator Johnson's office, to learn more about government in action. In 1958, rural electric cooperatives in Iowa sponsored the first group of 34 young people on a week-long study tour of the nation's capital. The idea grew and other states sent busloads of young people throughout the summer. By 1959, the Youth Tour had grown to 130 youths.

In 1964, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) began to coordinate the program and suggested that co-op representatives from each state arrange to be in Washington, D.C. during Youth Tour week. The first year of the coordinated tour included approximately 400 young people from 12 states.

Youth Tour was established with one thought in mind – to inspire our next generation of leaders. Since 1964, more than 50,000 young Americans have taken advantage of this special opportunity offered by their electric cooperative.   New Enterprise Rural Electric Co-op alone has sent 82 students since 1985.

So, if you are a high school junior or know a junior who would be interested in traveling to Washington, D.C. to experience the trip of a lifetime, please contact us for more information.  Remember the trip is FREE!

Print off the application to apply!

YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

During Youth Tour, each student will have an opportunity to be selected to represent Pennsylvania on the NRECA Youth Leadership Council (YLC).  Students chosen, will return to Washington, D.C. for the YLC Conference in July.  While attending the conference, each person will gain a broader understanding of electric cooperatives and the energy industry.  YLC members meet with NRECA leaders and Youth Tour alumni who work in Washington, D.C. and on Capitol Hill.  Each student will deliver a 5-7-minute speech to their peers about what inspired them during the Youth Tour.  A YLC National Spokesperson will be selected to address the membership at the NRECA Annual Meeting and to address the Youth Tour delegates the following year.                                                                                             

 YLC members will also attend the NRECA Annual Meeting.  YLC members will represent their home states on stage plus have a hands-on experience with virtually every facet of the meeting, including the resolutions process and helping co-op members communicate with their legislators. 

The cost of travel, meals and housing for YLC members are covered by NRECA, New Enterprise REC and Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA).  The only cost students will have would be for drinks, snacks, souvenirs, etc.

Being a member of YLC gives an unique opportunity to build leadership and public speaking skills, enhance knowledge of the cooperative form of business, and build life-long friendships with other students leaders from across the country.