DC Youth Tour 2026! Deadline February 15, 2026
Win a Trip of a Lifetime!
The Washington, D.C., Youth Tour is a program offered by Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative (CCEC) and other cooperatives throughout the nation to high school juniors. Participants receive an all-expense paid trip to the nation's capital, where they are immersed in the nation's history visiting sites like Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Veteran's Wall, the Washington Monument, Mount Vernon, and the Smithsonian. In addition, students not only meet with other participants from across the nation, but they also get the opportunity to discuss current issues with representatives and senators.
What Your Trip Will Look Like:
Day 1
- Meet other Oregon students in Portland
- Get to know each other and review itinerary and expectations
Day 2
- Travel to Washington D.C.
- Check into hotel
- Meet students from other states
Day 3
- Lincoln Memorial
- WWII Memorial
- Vietnam Memorial
- Arlington Cemetery
- Iwo Jima Memorial
- Washington Nationals Baseball Game
Day 4
- Mount Vernon
- International Spy Museum
- Dinner at Pentagon City Mall
- Airforce Memorial
Day 5
- NRECA Youth Day Event
- Ford's Theater
- National Archives
- Holocaust Museum
- Potomac Riverboat Cruise
Day 6
- Washington Mall
- Natural History Museum
- Smithsonian Museums
- Dinner at Ronald Reagan Building
- Sunset Parade
Day 7
- Day on Capital Hill
- Visit your Congressional representative
- Library of Congress
- NRECA Farewell Event
Day 8
- Say goodbye to Washington D.C. and your new friends
- Say hello to life-long memories
Applications Information:
- Applications will be reviewed by a selection team of CCEC employees. Those students selected to continue on in the process may be expected to take part in a short interview with the selection team.
- Applicants will be required to complete the entire application as well as visit with leaders of the cooperative before the trip.
Who is Eligible?
- This opportunity is open to incoming high school juniors.
- To be eligible, students’ families must be a Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative member.
Ready to Apply?
Applications are open. The selected student must be a high-school junior and agree that if selected, he/she will participate in activities that help promote the youth tour. You may also be asked to report on the overall experience of the trip.
Complete your application below. CCEC will be selecting one finalist. All applicants will be notified of the selection status.
Note: Online Application will NOT save unfinished progress. CCEC recommends saving responses in a separate document to ensure applicants do not lose information. Also, any photographs submitted can be used for marketing purposes.
**CCEC employees and their dependents are not eligible to apply. *
Application Link (Click Here)
Why take a chance and apply? It’s a trip of a lifetime and a life-changing experience for any student. But don’t take our word for it. Here is a profile of Rachel Eickhoff, CCEC's 2023 delegate!
Rachel Eickhoff, a student at Bandon High School, recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where she participated in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour.
The NRECA Youth Tour is a prestigious program in the electric industry, bringing together young leaders from electric cooperatives across the nation for a weeklong educational experience. The tour aims to teach delegates about the history and government of the United States, the electric cooperative business model and the importance of civic engagement. Participants also get an opportunity to explore the nation’s capital and interact with government officials.
Rachel was selected to participate in the NRECA Youth Tour through a competitive application process. She is actively involved in extracurricular activities at her high school, holding positions in the National Honor Society, Student Council and the Associated Student Body, including historian, spirit chair, and class president.
In her application, Rachel expressed gratitude to CCEC for powering her family’s life and appreciated the cooperative’s commitment to the safety of the public, employee welfare and respect for the members it serves. CCEC’s decision to sponsor Rachel reflects the cooperative’s dedication to supporting and nurturing young talent within the community it serves.
During the NRECA Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., Rachel joined other outstanding delegates from Washington, Oregon and California, embarking on an enriching journey together, organized by the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Throughout her time in Washington, D.C., Rachel engaged in meaningful discussions with elected officials and participated in various educational programs, offering valuable insights into the functions of electric cooperatives and governance.
“It was an amazing experience,” Rachel says. “I learned so much about electric cooperatives and the importance of civic engagement. I also made some great friends from all over the country.”
Rachel’s visit to the nation’s capital was undoubtedly unforgettable, leaving a positive impression on all those she encountered during her journey. Her achievements, dedication and passion demonstrated the potential of the younger generation to shape the future of electric cooperatives and their commitment to serving their local communities.