Each year, Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative selects one outstanding high school sophomore or junior who lives in a household served by Heartland to take part in an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. as part of the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
This year’s Youth Tour will take place from June 15-22, 2023.
What does Youth Tour build?
Leadership
- Some of our state’s most influential leaders are Youth Tour alumni who attribute their achievements to this trip. While in Washington, D.C., you will meet with state and national legislators and nationally recognized speakers to talk about current topics important to our rural communities.
Community
- Thousands of high school students from electric cooperative communities across the country meet in Washington, D.C. Together, you will experience a trip of a lifetime and build meaningful connections.
Memories
- From touring the Smithsonian museums and many memorials to cruising on the Potomac River — you’ll be sure to capture memories to share on your Snapchat Story and remember for a lifetime.
What happens on the Youth Tour?
- DAY 1: Meet the Youth Tour participants from Kansas and Hawaii and tour the Kansas State Capitol.
- DAY 2: Visit an electric cooperative, fly to Washington, D.C., and meet students from other states.
- DAY 3: Take your photo in front of the White House, walk in the steps of President Lincoln at Ford’s Theater, and attend a Major League Baseball game.
- DAY 4: Visit the birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner and dance with your new friends from other states while cruising on the Potomac River.
- DAY 5: Tour the Holocaust Memorial Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Smithsonian museums.
- DAY 6: Meet your Congressional Representative and Senators on Capitol Hill. Watch a stirring performance of the Sunset Parade at Iwo Jima.
- DAY 7: Tour the memorials and attend a professional theater performance at The Kennedy Center.
- DAY 8: Tour Mt. Vernon before returning to Kansas.
What are some traits of Youth Tour participants?
- An awesome personality
- Leadership potential
- A strong academic record
- An interest in travel
Who is eligible to apply?
- Parent, legal guardian or applicant must be a member of Heartland Rural Electric Cooperative (i.e. electric account must be in their name).
- Applicants must be high school sophomores or juniors during the 2022-2023 school year. (Homeschool students are eligible.)
- Applicants who advance to the interview phase must be able to participate in an interview with the selection committee in early February.
- Applicants must be able to participate in the Youth Tour trip from June 15-22, 2023.
- Applicants must be able to ride in a bus for several hours in a single day and fly in an airplane.
- Applicants must be willing to promote the trip in ways deemed necessary by the cooperative, including, but not limited to, being recorded and speaking publicly regarding the trip.
- Applicants must have a valid state-issued ID.
- Applicants must be students in good standing as defined by the school institution of attendance.
- Applicants must not have any past or pending violations of the law.
- Prior winners of the Youth Tour contest are not eligible to win.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
How can students apply?
- The application period for the 2023 Youth Tour has now ended. Check back in early 2024 for your next opportunity.