WHAT IS YOUTH TOUR?
It is an all-expenses paid trip to our nation's capital where participants travel with more than 100 students from the Show-Me state and over 2,000 students nationwide to tour museums, visit America's most cherished monuments and even meet their elected officials. All while learning about electric cooperatives and their role in the community, these students have the time of their lives and create friendships that last a lifetime!
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND?
High school juniors who reside or attend school in Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative service area.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It is totally FREE!
WHAT WILL YOU SEE?
The Washington Monument, The US Capitol, Smithsonian Museums, Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Wall, a boat cruise on the Potomac River & MUCH, MUCH, MORE!
DATES: June 14 - June 20, 2026
HOW DOES THE CONTEST WORK?
Complete our Youth Tour Application (you can download it at the bottom of this page) and submit it to sbeltzprice@hoecoop.org. The application includes basic student info and an essay question. In 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th anniversary. To honor this milestone, write a 500-750 word essay explaining what you feel cooperative(s) role have been in shaping the nation. Please title and attach this on separate sheet(s).
Submitted essays will be impartially judged based on grammar, spelling, originality, and depth of knowledge on the topic. The top five students will then participate in an interview. Interviews will be held at HOEC's headquarters in West Plains with a small panel of judges. HOEC will notify all students of their results in the contest via email.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, March 20, 2026
Questions? Contact Stephanie Beltz-Price, Member Communications Specialist at 417-256-2131 or sbeltzprice@hoecoop.org
