Youth Tour 2026 will take place June 14 - 20.

If you are a sophomore or junior and your parents or guardians are NWEC members, you can apply for this fun, learning experience! NWEC will choose one or two local students who will receive an all-expenses-paid, week-long trip to Washington, D.C. in June. The students will join over 1,800 other students from across Ohio and the nation who will visit with their congressional leaders and see D.C.'s most impressive and historic sites.

To enter the contest, complete the form below. The deadline for all entries is Friday, February 20, 2026.

 

What is Youth Tour?

Every June, as many as 1,800 high school students 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.

Participating in the Youth Tour is an awesome way to learn about this great nation, develop leadership skills, gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, and make friendships that will last beyond the week!

 

 

4 REASONS WHY YOUTH TOUR IS FOR YOU

#1 - It’s not like your school trip to D.C.
NWEC knows many students have already been to Washington, but this adventure is specifically planned to be different. We’ll visit many sites schools aren’t able to take you, giving you an insider tour. This trip is every history buff’s dream. You’ll meet your congressional leaders face-to-face and participate in a small group on Capitol Hill.

#2 - Meet new people — and yourself
You will find yourself going out of your comfort zone (and liking it). Being surrounded by people you don’t know allows you to be yourself in a way not possible around your current classmates. You can come out of your shell and be the person you want to be — not just the person everyone thinks you are. Plus, you’ll make lifelong friends we can help you stay in touch with after the trip has ended.

#3 - Learning about co-ops will blow your mind
Cooperatives are the business model of the future. We put people over profits and are community focused, governed by the members we serve. If you want to work with a purpose, co-ops are just the place to do that. Learn about how co-ops operate and make communities a better place.

#4 - It’s fun (and FREE)!
Youth Tour is a blast — just ask any of our past student delegates. Even with a full schedule, we provide plenty of down time and several social events where you can meet delegates from other states. Most importantly, this is an all-expenses-paid experience. NWEC will pay for everything. Just be sure to bring some cash for souvenirs. 

 

YOUTH TOUR APPLICATION

 

DEADLINE: 4:00 P.M on February 20, 2026

ELIGIBILITY AND DETAILS

The Ohio Youth Tour is an unforgettable, annual week-long all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. that gives exceptional sophomores and juniors the opportunity to meet their congressional leaders at the U.S. Capital, make new friends from across the state and country, and see many of the famous Washington sights. Students from the state of Ohio will join over 1,800 delegates from 43 other states for a “trip of a lifetime”.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to compete for the Washington Youth Tour, the following provisions will govern the acceptance of applicants:

  1. Applicants must be the child or legal ward of a North Western Electric Cooperative, Inc.’s (NWEC) permanent residential member receiving service for the duration of the 2025-2026 academic year (August 2025-June 2026). 

  2. Applicants must be a high school sophomore or junior during the 2025-2026 academic year (August 2025 - June 2026).

  3. Previous contest winners are not eligible to participate in this competition.

  4. Members of the immediate families and persons residing in the households of trustees or employees of NWEC are not eligible to participate in the competition. An exception may be made if there is a lack of eligible applications received and if it is approved by the President/CEO.

  5. Application deadline is 4:00 pm on Friday, February 20, 2026.

  6. Applicants must be available to travel June 14 - 20, 2026.

  7. All eligible applicants may be asked to participate in a personal interview. You will be notified of the interview date and time, if applicable.

  8. All rules stated within this document conform to the policies and program guidelines as set forth by NWEC.

  9. These rules (dated heron) supersede all previous rules for this competition.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

To be considered for the 2026 Youth Tour competition, all the following MUST BE submitted with your application (below) by Friday, February 20, 2026:

  • An official, signed grade transcript

  • A recent photo of the applicant - A photocopy of a photo is acceptable

  • One letter of recommendation - It may be typed or handwritten, and must be no longer than 800 words

    • The person writing the letter may be a teacher, a community leader or a family friend. The adult you choose should be personally acquainted with your personality, your school and/or community activities, your personal and/or academic achievements.

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Parent/Guardian's Information

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Acknowledgements

I hereby acknowledge that I am applying for a chance to win an all-expense paid, week-long trip to Washington, D.C. sponsored by National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, and North Western Electric Cooperative (NWEC). I agree to permit the review of this application by members of the NWEC Selection Committee.

As the parent/guardian of the student completing this application, I hereby consent and agree that if the student is selected as a winner, NWEC, its employees, and agents have the right to take photographs, videotape, or digital recordings of the applicant to use in any and all media, with or without their name and for any lawful purpose.