What is the Government-in-Action Youth Tour?                                                                                                                                                                                           

Every June, over 1,800 high school Juniors and Seniors from across the country spend a week in the nation's capital as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The students are sponsored by electric cooperatives – cooperatives that are committed to educating America's rural youth about America and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.

During the week, youth will get the opportunity to tour the Lincoln Memorial, National Cathedral, The White House, Air and Space Museum, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, Ford’s Theatre, The Kennedy Center, the Metro, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Smithsonian, Iwo Jima Statue, National Archives, U.S Supreme Court, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Students will also get the opportunity to participate in a breakfast briefing with the South Dakota Congressional Delegation.

Who is eligible and what does it cost?

Any high school junior or senior whose parents are members of West River Electric are eligible to apply for the youth tour.  Your local cooperative funds the weeklong event.  The funding for the tour provides for each participant’s transportation, room and board, entertainment, and sightseeing events. Students are required to provide their spending money (snacks and souvenirs).

When is it held and how do I apply?

DATES: June 17-23

- Participants will meet for an orientation meeting on Thursday, June 17 at the Brandon Sioux Valley Energy building. The group will bus to Minneapolis and then fly the next morning to D.C. on Friday, June 18, and return to South Dakota on Wednesday, June 23. A commercial bus will be used for transportation while in D.C.

HOW TO APPLY: Write a 250 word essay and participate in a short interview.

ESSAY TOPIC: "Cooperatives are built on the principle of ‘Concern for Community.’ What does that principle mean to you, and how can young people help strengthen the communities they call home?"

After our Youth Tour Exuctive Committee reviews the essays, we will then move onto the next round in the application process with a short interview. Interviews will be held in person or via zoom. Applicants will be notified to schedule the interview.

Deadline to apply is December 11, 2026, by 5pm.

Apply HERE