Youth Tour class of 2026 returns inspired
Electric cooperatives invest in future leaders for a week that changes everything.
Seventy Oklahoma high school juniors returned from Washington, D.C. this summer with a deeper understanding of how government and electric cooperatives work together to serve communities.
Representing electric cooperatives from across the state, this year’s Youth Tour delegates spent a week exploring the nation’s capital, visiting historic landmarks and meeting with congressional staff to learn firsthand about the legislative process and how decisions made in Washington can affect communities back home. Long days of walking the National Mall, touring monuments and navigating the city quickly gave way to shared experiences that turned strangers into friends.
Throughout the trip, delegates represented their hometown cooperatives with professionalism and a willingness to embrace every opportunity.
Youth Tour participants are encouraged to stay involved through leadership opportunities, scholarships and internships offered through Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). This fall, alumni can apply for exclusive scholarships, including the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC) Youth Tour Ambassador Scholarship. They may also have the opportunity to return to a future Youth Tour as an NRECA Blue Shirt, mentoring delegates from across the country.
Delegates are also encouraged to thank their sponsoring electric cooperatives by sharing their experiences with cooperative boards, classmates and local communities. Their stories often inspire the next generation of high school juniors to apply for Youth Tour.
For the Class of 2026, the week in Washington may be over, but the relationships, leadership skills and memories they gained are only the beginning.
To learn more about future trips, connect with your local rural electric cooperative.
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