Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives

STUDENTS PROGRAMS

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.

2025 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

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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 2025 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:

Oct. 2: Session 1 – Cooperative Business Model
Oct. 14: Session 2 – Advocacy
Oct. 23: Session 3 – 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 September 25 will receive a special box of co-op goodies in the mail.