Perhaps People's Electric Cooperative (PEC)’s best-known and most anticipated youth program. Youth Tour offers high school juniors a weeklong, all-expenses-paid educational trip to Washington, D.C., in June. Since 1964, more than 50,000 young Americans have taken advantage of this special opportunity offered by their electric cooperative. PEC alone has sent 110 students since 1964.
Trip of a Lifetime
This summer Youth Tour delegates will represent electric co-ops from across the country in Washington, D.C. during the week of June 16 through 22. They will learn about the cooperative business model and a full week of sightseeing.
The thrill packed days typically include a visit with the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation, tour of Mount Vernon, a boat trip on the Potomac River, and all the major monuments. Without a doubt, Youth Tour has grown into an invaluable program that gives young Americans an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Your Ticket Awaits
This month, we begin the process of selecting 3 local students to attend Youth Tour 2023. PEC’s Youth Tour contest is open to all 11th grade students enrolled in a school (or homeschool) system located in one of the 11 counties served by PEC. Representatives from PEC visit with interested juniors at their schools during January and February.
PEC selects the winners from students who take a written test over materials about rural electrification. Study materials furnished by the Cooperative are available for download on our website or they can be mailed upon request. Local high schools will be given the opportunity to participate as a host testing site.
At the conclusion of testing, an invitation will be extended to the students receiving the top 10 scores on the test in order to compete in an interview competition. The top ten students participate in final judging at PEC’s headquarters in Ada. A panel of judges will select the winning delegates based on the students’ subject knowledge, originality, appearance and personality.
Questions About Youth Tour?
We encourage interested students and parents to notify their school counselor of their interest in the program, visit the Youth Tour website or contact PEC by phone: (580) 272-1553 or by email.
