From the classroom to the capital
Essay contest now open for opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C.
Six area high school juniors will have the chance to explore Washington, D.C., this summer after being selected for the Missouri Electric Youth Tour.
Youth Tour Application Youth Tour Cooperative Principles
For more than 60 years, Cuivre River Electric Cooperative (CREC) has sponsored and sent over 200 students to the nation’s capital as part of the statewide initiative. This year’s delegates will join dozens from Missouri and thousands from across the country for the weeklong trip scheduled for June 14–20.
Students earn their spot through CREC’s annual Youth Tour essay contest, open to high school juniors who live in the cooperative’s service area. The 2026 essay theme is “My Favorite Cooperative Principle.” Entry forms are available at area high schools and here, with entries due Monday, March 2.
Essays are judged anonymously by CREC staff, and the top 12 submissions advance to the final competition on Wednesday, April 1. From there, six finalists will be chosen as Youth Tour delegates and will receive the all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The remaining six finalists will be awarded $500 scholarships.
CREC covers the full cost of the program for participating students and families. Teachers who submit at least 10 student entries are also eligible for a $50 classroom grant from CREC.
During the trip, delegates will visit major monuments, the Smithsonian museums, Arlington National Cemetery, and meet with members of Congress from their districts.
For more information about the Youth Tour program, contact Tim Schmidt at 636-695-4837 or tschmidt@cuivre.com.
