Visiting Washington, D.C. might sound like a far-away dream for high school students, but every June several from our state's cooperatives are given the opportunity to travel to our nation's capital for a fun and educational weeklong tour – and it won't cost them a dime!
The all-expense-paid Co-op Youth Tour is sponsored by Wisconsin rural electric cooperatives, including Polk-Burnett, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Tour participants get to see with their own eyes the historical sights, museums and monuments that many have only seen in history books or on TV. Wisconsin delegates meet members of Congress, witness the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, see the Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima War Memorial and tour the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives chambers.
During the week on the go, Youth Tour participants form fast friendships that continue after they return home. Inspired by their trip, many Youth Tour alumni have become co-op leaders or perform public service. Ask almost any of the alumni about their experience and they will describe it as the trip of a lifetime.
How to win a trip to the 2020 Co-op Youth Tour of Washington, D.C.
Polk-Burnett is seeking two delegates for the June 19 to 25, 2020, Youth Tour. All applicants of Polk-Burnett's Scholarship Program are invited to apply for the optional Youth Tour. Scholarship candidates must be:
1) the son or daughter of a Polk-Burnett Electric Co-op member.
2) graduating from high school in 2020.
3) continuing education at an accredited technical school, college or university after high school.
Polk-Burnett's Scholarship and Youth Tour Program is based on community service, not academic grades, athletic performance or financial need. All candidates are required to demonstrate community involvement, and those interested in becoming a Youth Tour delegate are required to write essays about the value of electricity and why they want to represent their local co-op on the Youth Tour of Washington, D.C.
"As a rural electric co-op, Polk-Burnett is pleased to support youth leadership opportunities for the children of our members, according to our cooperative principles," said General Manager Steve Stroshane.
Youth Tour delegates from Wisconsin electric cooperatives visit Washington, D.C. every year in June. If you are graduating in the class of 2020 and your parents are members of Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative, you are invited to apply for this all-expense-paid trip of a lifetime.
Apply now for Polk-Burnett's Scholarship and Youth Tour Program. The deadline is December 3.
Polk-Burnett's Scholarship and Youth Tour Program does not affect electricity rates. It is funded with unclaimed Capital Credits that if not used for education would be forfeited to the state.
