What is the Youth Tour?

 

Every June, more than 1,800 high school students 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 a unique 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!

Each year, West Central Electric sends AT LEAST THREE delegates to Washington, DC for the National Rural Electric Youth Tour. To be eligible, students must attend a school in the WCE service area, and write a 600-word essay on a chosen topic. Finalists will compete in an oral competition to determine the winners. The number of delegates chosen each year depends on the availability of funding.

Download 2025 information packet here
 

For more information, contact Heather Hoflander at 1-800-491-3803.

Visit the NRECA Electric Cooperative Youth Tour web site for complete youth tour information.

 

What is CYCLE?

 

CYCLE is the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience held for three days each July in Jefferson City.

WCE will send FIVE DELEGATES to this conference sponsored by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. They will join more than 100 other delegates from across the state.

Students will hear amazing speakers, participate in team-building and leadership activities, and get a chance to debate their own bill on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives.

“We want to be a leadership development stepping stone for the youth. By us getting involved in helping develop their leadership potential, we hope these delegates go back to their communities, continue to learn from local leaders, educators and co-op staff so when they get into positions of leadership later in life, they won’t forget the cooperatives’ way of thinking,” says AMEC CYCLE Coordinator Chris Massman.

For more information, contact Heather Hoflander at 1-800-491-3803.