One Application, Two Unforgettable Adventures
By Tanya Marchun, Communication Specialist
Grand Junction, COLO. (October 26, 2026) What if one application could send you to Washington, D.C., or to the Colorado mountains for an unforgettable week with new friends?
Grand Valley Power is giving high school students ages 16 and older the chance to apply for two all-expenses-paid experiences: the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., and the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp near Steamboat Springs. These aren’t typical summer trips. They’re your chance to explore new places, build real-world skills, and discover what you’re capable of — with Grand Valley Power covering the cost.
government in action during the 2026 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour.
“It took me traveling all the way across the country to Washington, D.C., to meet people who live just down the road from me,” said Lane Karo, Grand Valley Power’s 2026 Youth Tour recipient. Karo connected with students from nearby Colorado communities, as well as young people from across the United States who were selected by their local electric cooperatives to participate.
On the Youth Tour, you’ll explore famous landmarks, watch government in action, and experience history beyond the classroom. Karo’s most powerful moment came at Fort McHenry while learning the story behind “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but the friendships made the trip even more meaningful. “The Youth Tour provides a sense of community,” he said. “It’s a place where you are welcomed — a place to belong.”
If mountains and outdoor adventure are more your style, Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp is calling your name. You will team up with other students from across Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming to run your own cooperative, make real decisions, explore electric industry careers, and witness an unforgettable high-voltage demonstration. Grand Valley Power’s 2026 Leadership Camp recipient Ethan Bunnell said, “The lineworkers’ presentation showed how important their job is and how they are risking serious injury or even death so we can have power.” The camp also provided numerous opportunities for Bunnell to connect with others, “I am a quiet person, and this camp helped me meet new people and get out of my comfort zone. Everyone I met at camp was super fun; it is worth it to apply!”
Both programs are open to eligible high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and students who will have recently graduated by summer 2027. If you’ll be at least 16 and are ready to try something new, don’t let this opportunity pass you by.
Take the chance. Submit your application. Your unforgettable summer could start here. See bottom of page 7 for application details.