Following two years away due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delegates for the 54th annual Missouri Youth Tour program will be returning to Washington, D.C. this year. 

CREC will sponsor and send six delegates who will be among dozens from Missouri and hundreds from across the nation to spend a week in the nation's capitol this summer. The Youth Tour trip is planned for June 13 - 19.

The local Youth Tour program 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 2022 essay theme is "My Favorite Cooperative Principle." Entry forms are available at local high schools or online here. The deadline to enter is Friday, March 11.

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 13.

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.

Since 1964, Cuivre River Electric Cooperative has sponsored over 200 Youth Tour delegates for visits to Washington, D.C. For more information on the Youth Tour program, contact Tim Schmidt at 636-695-4837 or tschmidt@cuivre.com