Youth Tour

Independence. History. Government. Friendship. These are just a few things learned and gained by students attending the National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA) Washington D.C. Youth Tour in June. 

Nearly 1,800 high school students come together for this all-expenses-paid trip in June. We send up to two delegates to represent MEC on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Candidates are selected based on their application and their participation at our Meet MEC event, a hands-on educational experience held at our headquarters in Cassopolis, MI. 

During the trip, the Michigan students tour the Civil War battleground in Gettysburg, PA on their motorcoach drive to D.C. Once in the capital, they visit several national monuments and museums, witness the changing of the guard ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and meet with local representatives on Capitol Hill. They typically attend a musical and/or a Washington Nationals baseball game to round out the week's activities.  

Our top applicants are required to participate in a hands-on educational experience with MEC employees in the month of March. Participants will hear about careers in the industry and see first-hand what it means to be part of an electric cooperative.  After getting to know participants during MEC day, we select up to two students to go on Youth Tour.  

Please note: children of MEC employees and board members are not eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is Jan. 27, 2025.

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