Youth Tour Contest

The Youth Tour Contest offers high school sophomores and juniors a chance to win an unforgettable trip to Washington, D.C. Participants will join other students from across the nation to learn about leadership, government, and the importance of civic engagement while exploring the nation’s capital.

Youth Tour Adventure

What is the Rural Electric Youth Tour Trip?

Access Energy Cooperative sends two students to participate in the Rural Electric Youth Tour in June of each year, for an activity-filled week, affording these high school youths opportunities to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, community development and today’s social issues.

Click here for a short video introduction to the Youth Tour.

Participate and visit historic sites
Explore the Smithsonian museums
Take a cruise on the Potomac River
Meet with their Senators and House Representatives where they discuss the process of government
Discuss current issues
Increase their knowledge of cooperative electric utilities and American history

Follow the Youth Tour on Facebook here or on X @IowaYouthTour.

Be a sophomore or junior high school student in the Access Energy Cooperative service area—need not be a member to apply (Click here to see a map of the service area)
Submit an application by February 28th.
Applications can be obtained in December:
1. At all area school guidance counselor offices
2. By contacting the Access Energy Cooperative office at 1-866-242-4232 and requesting it to be mailed
3. By downloading an application and submitting it to our office before February 28th; or
4. By submitting the form below before February 28th, or you can print it and email or mail to our office
Attend a personal interview March 12, 2026, at our office in Mt Pleasant. Judges are brought in from out of the area to select the winners, so no exceptions can be made.

Apply Now

YOUTH TOUR APPLICATION

First Name

Last Name

Address

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Main Contact Phone

Email (Not School Email)

Parents/Guardians Name

Access Energy Cooperative Member Account #

Name and Phone # of High School

Year in School

Please enter the year you will graduate

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Please enter a number from 1.00 to 5.00

Academic/Community Honors

School Extra-Curricular Activities

Employment History

Community Involvement

Post high school education plan: course of study and intended college or institution

Upload high school transcript

One file only.
20 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, ogg, wav, svg.

Why would you like to go to Washington D.C.?

If given the opportunity, what issues or topics would you discuss with your congressional representatives?