Each June, high school students travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Rural Electric Youth Tour. During the week-long tour, they learn about Washington, D.C., the government, the cooperative philosophy and rural electrification. The students are selected and sponsored by their local electric cooperatives. Arrangements for the South Dakota students are coordinated by the South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA).
Some of the sites that are toured are: the Lincoln Memorial, National Cathedral, the White House, the Air and Space Museum, Washington monument, the U.S. Capitol, the Fords Theatre, the Kennedy Space Center, Metro Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Smithsonian, Iwo Jima Statue, the National Archives, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Students also participate in a day long “shadow” program of their state’s senator or representative.
All high school sophomores and juniors whose parents or guardians are members of Lacreek Electric are eligible to enter the contest.
The tour is funded by the local rural electric cooperatives who participate in the week-long event. The funding for the tour provides for each participant’s transportation, room and board, entertainment and sight seeing. Students are required to provide their own personal spending money for snacks and souvenirs.
All applicants must fill out a “Data Sheet” to take an open book test on the history and organization of rural electrification to qualify for the trip.
Please call the office for more information.
Tyler Ring