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
Who Can Apply?
High school juniors whose parents or guardians are local cooperative members are eligible to apply.
Check back later for the 2027 application.
2026 Youth Tour Delegates
In June, Mary Miller, Braden Dunn, and Gracey Crawford, along with other delegates from Arkansas' Electric Cooperatives, explored the nation's capital. During their trip, they:
- Gained insights into electric cooperatives
- Toured historic sites
- Visited various monuments and museums
- Had the opportunity to meet members of the Arkansas congressional delegation
Youth Tour History
How It Began
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 1 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.
National Coordination
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.
What Happens Today
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’s Involvement
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.