Youth Tour
The Youth Tour provides high school juniors with a unique opportunity to learn about democracy and leadership in Washington, D.C. The goal of the Youth Tour is to foster students’ appreciation for the democratic form of government; educate students about the role of electric cooperatives in the national economy; expand their understanding of cooperatives as a business model; introduce students to the cooperative principles and understanding the value of rural electrification; expose students to the sights and sounds of our nation’s heritage; build students’ leadership skills so that they may make a difference in their communities, and reward students for academic achievement and community leadership.
Youth are the future
Impacting the lives of the youth of today is extremely important to the cooperative community. The mission of the Youth Tour sponsored by local electric cooperatives across the United States is built on the belief that textbooks and lectures alone are not enough to help students understand the democratic process and gain the skills necessary to become tomorrow's leaders. Rather, today's teenagers also need an opportunity to experience government first-hand by visiting the nation's capital, meeting their Representatives and Senators and engaging in interactive workshops and discussions.
By educating our high school students and enhancing their self-worth, Cuivre River Electric Cooperative hopes to promote and inspire responsible and informed participation in the democratic process - in essence, ensuring a stronger future for everyone.
2021 Youth Tour
Though program details are being ironed out, the 53rd annual Missouri Youth Tour program will continue to be held this summer. Entries are now being accepted for this year’s program.
Normally, CREC sends six delegates who are among thousands from across the nation to spend a week in Washington, D.C. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trip has been canceled. State organizers are working on plans to hold a conference this summer in-person or virtually.
The latest updates on the Youth Tour program will be posted at cuivre.com once they become available.
The annual Youth Tour consists of an essay contest open only to high school juniors who live and attend school in Cuivre River Electric’s general service area, or who have Cuivre River electric service in their homes.
The 2021 essay theme is “My Favorite Cooperative Principle.” Entry forms are available at local high schools or cuivre.com. The deadline to enter is Friday, March 12.
Entries remain anonymous during preliminary judging by the Cuivre River Electric staff. The 12 top-scoring essays are selected as finalists and will attend the final competition scheduled for Wednesday, April 14. In the event the public gathering cannot be held due to the virus restrictions, judges will score the essays from the 12 finalists.
The top six finalists will be selected as Youth Tour delegates. The other six finalists will receive $500 scholarships.
Cuivre River Electric 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 has sponsored over 200 Youth Tour delegates for visits to Washington, D.C. More than 53,000 high school students sponsored by the nation’s electric cooperatives have participated in the Youth Tour since the educational leadership prog
2021 Application Youth Tour Principles
For more information about the Youth Tour program, contact Tim Schmidt at 800-392-3709, ext. 4837 or by email at tschmidt@cuivre.com.
