Youth Tour

Apply for a Trip of a Lifetime!

June 15 to 21, 2024

WHAT IS YOUTH TOUR?

An all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., paid for by Ouachita Electric.

  • A week of visiting historic monuments, touring world class museums and meeting elected officials.
  • Developing lifelong friendships with delegates from across the country!

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must be high school juniors during the 2023-2024 school year and must be members of Ouachita Electric Cooperative.


Photo of the capitol buildingYOUTH TOUR HISTORY

Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson inspired the Youth Tour when he addressed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Annual Meeting in Chicago in 1957. The Senator and future president 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, some Texas electric cooperatives sent groups of young people to Washington to work during the summer in Senator Johnson's office. In 1958, a rural electric cooperative in Iowa sponsored the first group of 34 young people on a weeklong study tour of the nation's capital. Later that same year, another busload came to Washington from Illinois. 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, NRECA began to coordinate joint activities among the state delegations 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. Word of the program has continued to spread and today, more than 1,300 young people and their chaperones participate in the Youth Tour every year.

The statewide Youth Tour directors arrange their delegation's visits to their U.S. Representatives' and Senators' offices, federal agencies, and other educational and sightseeing activities. In addition to the planned statewide activities, the Youth Tour experience encompasses multi-state activities coordinated by NRECA.

Ouachita Electric has sponsored youth from our service area for many years. Students compete for the opportunity to participate by submitting an essay. Watch for details in the Rural Arkansas magazine for future Rural Electric Youth Tours.


2024 Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Application

Ouachita Electric Cooperative Corporation Sponsor

On June 15-21, 2024, Ouachita Electric Cooperative, along with the state’s 16 other electric cooperatives, will provide an all-expense-paid trip to the nation’s capital for a selected group of high school juniors from Arkansas. To apply as a delegate from Ouachita Electric Cooperative, please fill out the application. Applicants must be high school juniors during the 2023-2024 school year and must be members of Ouachita Electric Cooperative. Interviews will be scheduled with each applicant. The winner will be selected by impartial, qualified judges. 

COVID-19 safety precautions and CDC guidelines will be followed. Youth Tour will follow pandemic travel guidelines set by the airlines, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. COVID-19 vaccination cards may be required.

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