Win the trip of a lifetime!

All expenses paid to Washington, D.C.
Value: $2,500!

Each summer, Polk-Burnett is pleased to send delegates to the NRECA Youth Tour of Washington, D.C. More than 1,500 high school students from all across America take part in the Youth Tour experience, and so can you!

You will meet U.S. Representatives and Senators, and watch history come alive as you explore national monuments, Arlington National Cemetery and the Smithsonian Museums. 

The trip is hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and all expenses are paid by Polk-Burnett, according to our cooperative principles to support youth and community.

Congratulations to our 2024 delegate Katie Lester, Amery!

Applications: Online applications accepted Sept. to Dec. each school year.

All applicants of Polk-Burnett's Scholarship program are invited to apply for Youth Tour by completing the scholarship application and optional Youth Tour essay questions.

Class of 2025: The application is now closed. The deadline to apply was January 1, 2025.
Watch for 2025 Youth Tour winners announced later this spring.

Eligibility

Youth Tour candidates must:
1.  Be a high school senior, graduating this school year.
2.  Be the child or legal dependent of a Polk-Burnett member. (A member is someone who buys electricity from the co-op; parent/guardian must be named on electric account.)
3.  Demonstrate community service, according to instructions on scholarship application.
4.  Complete the scholarship application and optional Youth Tour essay questions.

Selection 

All candidates who meet eligibility and community service requirements are entered into a random drawing in January.

Notification

Winners are announced by mail, during award programs at local high schools and in Polk-Burnett's Powerlines newsletter. 

Youth Tour does not affect your electric bill

Youth Tour does not affect electric rates. Youth Tour is funded with unclaimed Capital Credit dollars that otherwise would be forfeited to the state, and by the generosity of co-op members who donate Capital Credits to the scholarship fund.

Polk-Burnett is owned by its members and guided by a nonprofit, cooperative philosophy. When the cooperative makes money beyond expenses, the difference is refunded to members as Capital Credits. Prior to 1987, Polk-Burnett was required to give unclaimed Capital Credits to the State of Wisconsin. Now, the co-op can use these unclaimed dollars for education, and we are proud to offer scholarship to the children of our members. 

If you would like to donate your future Capital Credits to the co-op's scholarship and Youth Tour program, see our online enrollment form.

For more information, contact:

Joan O'Fallon, communications director
800-421-0283, ext. 333
jofallon@polkburnett.com

Youth Tour is sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). It was inspired by Senator Lyndon B. Johnson when he addressed the 1957 NRECA annual meeting in Chicago. In that very first year, Iowa sponsored 34 young people; today, busloads of youth visit our nation's Capitol to experience democracy in action. We are proud to participate.

Learn more about NRECA Youth Tour.

Learn more about Polk-Burnett's scholarship program.