Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
Click here to download the applications for the 2024 Youth Tour.
Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is committed to building the next generation of electric cooperative members.
Every June, approximately 40 students from around the state attend Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour. This educational leadership experience takes high school sophomores and juniors on a fun and unique trip to Washington, D.C., where they meet 1,800 other co-op teens from around the country. While in D.C., students learn about the unique cooperative business model, visit Capitol Hill to meet with Ohio’s legislative leaders, and experience the sights and sounds and rich history of our nation’s capital.
What makes electric cooperatives different from other utilities is that "giving something back to the community" is part of their seven cooperative principles.
Why do electric cooperatives bring high school students to Washington, D.C.?
Because it is important to learn about the political process and interact with your government. Participants will walk away from this week as better leaders and have a sense that they can make a difference.
The Youth Tour has brought high school students to Washington, D.C. every June since the late 1950s. Since then, over 40,000 students from rural areas and small towns across America have participated in this unique program.
Students gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as a citizen by meeting representatives and senators and exploring the nation's capital.
Ohio Cooperative Youth Day
Check back soon for the applications for 2024 Youth Day.
Ohio Cooperative Youth Day is an annual trip sponsored by North Central Electric Cooperative focused on introducing young leaders to the legislative process and allowing them the opportunity to learn about our government and its relationship with rural electric cooperatives. High school sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply for the trip.
This year's trip will take place on October 25, 2023, and will include a tour of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, where they will have the opportunity to meet with local legislators and ask questions regarding issues impacting their lives. Students will also be visiting the Ohio History Center during the trip.
Ohio Youth Day is step one in the cooperative's new, more comprehensive youth program, aimed at engaging more youth in the cooperative business model. Those who attend Youth Day will have the opportunity to express interest in applying for the Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Cooperative staff will interview students throughout the Youth Day trip, and three students will be selected as representatives to travel to D.C.
Those selected to attend Youth Tour may then have the opportunity to interview for a paid summer internship at NCE. It's all part of the cooperative's desire to encourage young people to learn about what makes their rural communities so valuable.