Six area students will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. this summer as part of the Missouri Electric Youth Tour.

This year’s delegates will be among dozens from Missouri and thousands from across the nation to spend a week in the nation’s capital. The Youth Tour trip is planned for June 15-21.

The local Youth Tour program sponsored by CREC consists of an essay contest open only to high school juniors who live and attend school in CREC’s general service area, or who have CREC service to their homes. The 2025 essay theme is “My Favorite Cooperative Principle.” Entry forms are available at local high schools or online here. The deadline to enter is Monday, March 3, 2025. 

Entries remain anonymous during preliminary judging by CREC staff. The 12 top-scoring essays are selected as finalists and will attend the final competition scheduled for Wednesday, April 2. 

The top six finalists will be selected as Youth Tour delegates and earn the trip to D.C. The other six finalists will receive $500 scholarships. CREC fully funds the Youth Tour program. There is no cost to students or families. 
Teachers who support the Youth Tour program and submit at least 10 student entries receive a $50 classroom grant from CREC.

For more information on the Youth Tour program, contact Tim Schmidt at 636-695-4837 or tschmidt@cuivre.com.