What is the Government-in-Action Youth Tour?

Every June, more than 1,800 high school junior and seniors from across the country spend a week in the nation's capital as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The students are sponsored by electric cooperatives – cooperatives that are committed to educating America's rural youth about America and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.

Participating in the Youth Tour is an awesome way to learn about this great nation, develop leadership skills, gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, and make friendships that will last beyond the week!


THE NRECA WASHINGTON D.C. YOUTH TOUR IS SCHEDULED FOR June 17 - June 23, 2023!!

We are so excited to be able to offer this unforgettable experience, come June 2023! Electric cooperatives nationally have been proud to offer the Rural Electric Youth Tour to students since 1963. We recognize our youth are our leaders of tomorrow, and we believe in the role they will play in shaping our cooperatives, communities, state and nation.

** COVID-19 Vaccinations are no longer required as Washington D.C. is no longer requiring vaccination proof.
** Some venues will require masks to enter premises.  

This year Grand Electric will select TWO high school students from our service area, to join several other students from South Dakota on an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C.

To be eligible:

  • must be a high school junior or senior
  • submit a 500 word essay on the following topic: If chosen as a Youth Tour delegate, you will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to experience and learn about America's rich history. "What monument in American history do you wish you had been a part of, and what would you have contributed?"
  • parents or guardian must be a member of Grand Electric
  • include a recent picture

Details on requirements. Please include ALL of the following to be eligible.

Cover page - Include your name and the title of the essay on this page.

Second page - Contact information: Applicant's name, address, phone number, e-mail address, date of birth, year in school and school attending. Also include your parent or guardian's name(s).

Third page - Your typed, 500 word essay on the topic listed above.  Do your research and write a knowledgeable essay.

Lastly, include a recent picture of yourself that Grand Electric can use in publications such as Cooperative Connections, our web-site and Facebook page. If you are submitting your application electronically, attach the photo as a jpeg file.

TIP* Have a parent or teacher proof-read your essay. Having another person proof your writing is the best way to catch mistakes and enables you to submit YOUR best work! Grammar and punctuation ARE judged, along with relevant content.

Deadline for entering is January 3, 2023.

To submit electronically: Email the required documents to bschecher@wrctc.coop

To submit by mail: 
                                   Grand Electric Cooperative, Inc.

                                   Youth Tour Essay

                                   P.O. Box 39

                                   Bison, SD 57620

Grand Electric Cooperative, Inc. is committed to providing opportunities to the youth of our rural communities. The future of rural America depends on the youth of today, which is why we continue to provide funds for higher education, opportunities for knowledge and growth, and resources to achieve success.