Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives

STUDENTS PROGRAMS

To apply for the 2024 Youth Tour Contest through your local cooperative click on their name below.

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IOWA YOUTH TOUR 

Iowa's electric cooperatives have been sending high school students to Washington, D.C., since 1958! On the weeklong tour in June, students learn about electric cooperatives, American history and U.S. government and walk away with a greater understanding of their role as American citizens. They participate in National Youth Day, visit with their elected legislators, and explore the sights around the nation’s capital. In Iowa, students apply for slots from their local electric cooperative. High school students with a passion for government and public service are encouraged to apply.

Approximately 40 high school students are chosen by local electric cooperatives from across the state of Iowa every year. Each cooperative sets its own selection criteria, so find your local electric co-op from the list below for more details. The Iowa students join with more than 1,800 students from co-ops around the country for the national Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., in June.

Students are selected for this program by their local electric cooperative through the overall strength of the applicant. If you want to take advantage of this incredible leadership opportunity, contact your local rural electric cooperative or high school career center for additional information. 

2024 Youth Tour dates: June 15 - 21 (orientation the evening of June 15 in Des Moines)
 

Why do electric cooperatives send students to Washington, D.C., each year?
Giving back to the community and investing in the next generation of leaders is part of every electric cooperative’s mission. Learn more about the cooperative difference.
 
 Some of the things students will do and see on Youth Tour:

 
  • Washington Monument

  • World War II Memorial

  • Albert Einstein Memorial

  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial

  • The National Mall

  • Boat cruise on the Potomac River

  • Holocaust Memorial

  • Ford’s Theater

  • Korean War Veterans Memorial

  • Lincoln Memorial

  • Washington National Cathedral

  • Mount Vernon

  • Iwo Jima Sunset Parade

  • White House

  • U.S. Capitol 

 


Connect with us:

Iowa electric cooperatives accepting 2024 Youth Tour applications:

 

IOWA YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 

Guided by our cooperative commitment to community, Iowa's electric cooperatives are pleased to once again offer a virtual opportunity for rural students to learn more about advocacy, electric co-op career opportunities and the cooperative business model with a three-part webinar series in October.

Once students register online for the Iowa Youth Leadership Academy, they can attend the webinars from their own computer or mobile device. Each Zoom session will last around 45-60 minutes and focus on a specific topic:

  • Session 1 – Cooperative Business Model
  • Session 2 – Rural Iowa Advocacy
  • Session 3 – Civic Involvement and Leadership


At the end of each live session, one lucky attendee will be selected at random to win a pair of Apple AirPods. Students who attend all three sessions will be entered into a random drawing for a $1,000 college scholarship. All students who register online by October 1 will receive a special box of co-op goodies in the mail. 

The 2023 IYLA sessions have concluded.

2024 dates are:

  • Oct. 1
  • Oct. 17
  • Oct. 24

Iowa's locally owned electric cooperatives are committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable & environmentally responsible power to 650,000 Iowans.

© 2024 IAEC. All rights reserved.