We are currently accepting applications for the next Youth Tour trip tentatively scheduled for June 2024. (This trip and our participation are subject to change by TEC if there are any travel restrictions due to COVID, or the NRECA Youth Tour regulations regarding large gatherings at the time of the event. We always have the safety and well-being of our youth in mind and would never compromise the health of our students. We will follow all rules and recommendations as advised by the NRECA Youth Tour Coordinators).

 

APPLY NOW ! Applications are being accepted now. The deadline is Nov 1, 2023,

Next Youth Tour is June of 2024. (Exact dates TBD)

For those members that have a young adult who is entering their junior year in high school, Tanner Electric Cooperative (TEC) offers them an opportunity to visit Washington DC, understand our democratic process and gain the skills necessary to become one of tomorrow’s leaders. On this trip, they will be able to experience our government first-hand by visiting our Nation’s Capital, meeting their Representatives and Senators, and engage in interactive workshops and discussions. This program is sponsored by the NRECA and your cooperative.

It is our goal to educate our youth about the history of rural electrification, member-owned electric cooperatives and the Seven Cooperative Principles. Let them experience first hand, the American Democratic system, gain an appreciation of our country's heritage and history while touring in some of the homes, museums and memorials of our nation's greatest leaders. The selected high school delegate will have the opportunity to meet and network with hundreds of peers from other cooperatives all over the United States.

TEC will pay for airfare, lodging, meals and activity fees. The student only needs to bring spending money for souvenirs and extra purchases aside from the itinerary activities. You will be chaperoned by an adult (s) representative (s) who is employed by TEC or one of the other cooperatives in Washington state. If selected, there are certain Rules and Dress Codes you will be expected to follow as outlined by the NRECA and your cooperative. Participants who do not abide by the rules will be sent home immediately, at your parent's expense. 

Eligible students must be a full time-dependent of a TEC member, at least 16 1/2 years old, completed their sophomore year and be enrolled as a junior in High School. Home-schooled students are eligible to apply. This trip is highly educational with a focus on American history, learning about the cooperative business model and of course having some fun along the way! 

If you are interested in learning more, please visit the Youth Tour website. If you would like to apply simply fill out this ONLINE APPLICATION (PDF Format) and electronically submit it to our North Bend office to be considered.  The Scholarship Selection Committee will review all applications and interview students prior to selecting one student to represent Tanner Electric Cooperative. 

 

See for yourself what the YOUTH TOUR is all about! 

If you would like a pdf paper version of the application email: lisa@tannerelectric.coop 

2023 Youth Tour Recipient - Samantha Silverman

2020 Youth Tour Recipient - Raymond Silverman (Unfortunately, the Tour was canceled due to COVID-19, but we still wanted to recognize Raymond, he would have been an awesome student representative for Tanner had he attended)

2018 Youth Tour Recipient - Tashi Simpson

2017 Youth Tour Recipient - Alden Allport

2016 Youth Tour Recipient -- Lauren Hodge

2015 Youth Tour Recipient - Amanda Glass

2014 Youth Tour Recipient - Talitha Anderson

2013 Youth Tour Recipient - Devon Hodge

 

Click here to watch a video from the 2015  tour

 

2014 Youth Tour Winner --Talitha Anderson  

" It was the morning of my birthday, and I was happily sleeping in. My mom came into my room, sat on my bed, and told me to get up and apply for the Youth Tour. I thought, "I don't even know what that is, and I am NOT going to spend my birthday writing essays and filling out applications!" But, she insisted, so I did.  When I got the news that I had won, I was excited, but nervous- I didn't know a single other person who was going. Nevertheless, in June I boarded the plane and was on my way. Once I got to meet the other high-schoolers, I realized that the week we would spend together would be tons of fun. But I didn't realize that the week would also be full of powerful, life-changing moments. Combine the two, and you get a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you're a junior in high school, I cannot encourage you enough to apply for the Youth Tour. You won't regret it."     

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17dbw6rJKA

  

Submitted by Devon Hodge-2013 Youth Tour representative for Tanner Electric Cooperative

"The most amazing experience I had this year was going to Washington DC with the NRECA Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.  And it wasn’t just the beautiful monuments, buildings, towers, and cathedrals that made my trip so awe-inspiring.  It was the powerful stories and histories surrounding every one of these structures, and every one of the people I met or learned about along the way.  I had the opportunity to meet with one of my state’s Representatives (Denny Heck), to visit the Smithsonian Museums, and to tour the nation’s capitol building.  I got to meet other kids from all across the country, and accomplished my goal of meeting one kid from every state.  Being a homeschooled girl from Anderson Island, I haven’t really had the experience of living around and with so many kids before.  Another thing that made this experience so special was Youth Day, a gathering that took place in a huge conference room where all of the kids involved in the youth tour assembled to listen to guest speakers talk about co-operatives.  One guest speaker/actor who was in costume the founders of one of the first rural American electric co-op, had a very interesting presentation about what co-ops are, and how the first rural electric co-op was started.  On April 29 of the year 1942, New York Governor Herbert H. Lehman signed the “Rural Electric Cooperative Law”, which allowed rural households to provide power to their rural communities through co-operatives.  After that, the idea of providing power through cooperatives spread, and soon most households in rural America were able to have power as a result.  On this amazing adventure, I met so many interesting, amazing people, learned a lot about co-ops and about Washington, DC, and had the experience of a lifetime."