Co-op Youth Tour Brings Tomorrow’s Leaders to the Capital
Delegations from 44 states will put co-ops’ civic principles into practice.

By Todd Cunningham

Young people from around the nation are heading to Washington, D.C., to put into action their co-ops’ principles of civic participation and engagement.

The travelers – a record 1,462 high school juniors and seniors in delegations representing 44 states – will be in the nation’s capital June 9-15 for the annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.

During their stay, the students, accompanied by more than 250 electric co-op chaperones, will see the sights and learn about the history of the United States and the electric co-op movement.

Beyond that, they will gain – and offer – first-hand insights into today’s most important issues through face-to-face visits with their congressional delegations on Capitol Hill.

This opportunity reflects the Youth Tour’s theme, “Commitment to Community,” said Randy Dwyer, NRECA director of grassroots advocacy.

“Two of the main goals of the Tour are to teach the students of the values every electric cooperative brings to the communities they serve and to promote civic involvement,” Dwyer pointed out. “These initial meetings on Capitol Hill with legislators inevitably lead many students to careers in public service.”

The congressional visits are part of the tour’s focal point, Youth Day. Before leaving for Capitol Hill, students join for a rally in which they will learn about the history of electric co-ops and the role they play in their communities from a key figure in the movement, U.S. Senator George W. Norris of Nebraska.

The late senator, who wrote the Rural Electrification Act, will be portrayed by Nebraska State Sen. Dave Landis.

Keynote speaker Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympics medalist, will offer a more personal message: “Just because you can’t stand up, doesn’t mean you can’t stand out.” Wheelchair-bound since a shooting at age 14, Schlappi counsels listeners to persevere in the face of any challenges life may offer.

Dwyer noted he is often asked what makes the annual Youth Tour a success. The answer, he said, is found in the comments participants offer as they leave the capital about “how much they learned about themselves and this great nation we live in.”

“What sets our program apart from other groups is that we encourage every student to become a leader in their community,” Dwyer added. “We challenge them to be active and involved citizens in their communities and in the democratic process.”

Additional information on the Youth Tour is available on a dedicated Web site, www.youthtour.coop

Revised and reprinted with permission from Electric Co-op TODAY.

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