During your all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., you’ll have the opportunity to connect with over 1,800 high school juniors and seniors from around the United States. Students gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as a citizen by meeting their representatives and senators and exploring the sights around the nation’s capital. Don’t be surprised if you run into a former Youth Tour participant who is a congressional aide on Capitol Hill. Over 40,000 students, from cooperatives across America like Grand Valley Power, have participated in this unique program. It is an opportunity for an experience of a lifetime and to make some great new friends. This year's trip will be from June 13-20, 2019. 

You can more information about the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour on NRECA's website. 

The Cooperative Leadership Camp is an all-expense-paid trip to Clark, Colorado, located just outside of Steamboat Springs. High school juniors and seniors from Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming will gather at a beautiful resort located along the Elk River and spend the week at an outstanding Leadership Camp. You’ll participate in activities to improve personal goals, set up and run your own cooperative, and get an inside view of the state and national legislatures. There is plenty of time for rafting the Colorado River, hiking to Fish Creek Falls, riding the gondola to Mt. Werner, banquets, BBQ's, dancing and more. Many of the attendees call this camp a “life-changing” experience. This year's trip will be from July 13 -18, 2019.

Eligible applicants must be: 

1. High school students* that are at least 16 years of age on or before the selected trip,  

2. Dependents of parents/guardians that are members of Grand Valley Power.

*You must currently still be attending high school at the time of application

Complete the 2019 Youth Tour and Leadership Camp Application by online submission (see below), or print the PDF and fill out the required information.

Submit a written essay, video, or PowerPoint covering one of three subject matters (minimum length of 500 words or 2-minute video):

1. Explain the process of energy generation and distribution. How is energy produced and how does it impact your daily life?
2. There are seven cooperative principles. Choose one and tell us how Grand Valley Power is demonstrating this principle in our community.
3. Grand Valley Power is an electric cooperative. Explain how this is different than an investor-owned utility or municipal utility.

Send us your completed application and essay by January 14, 2019 either by online submission or by dropping it off at our main office. Mailed in applications will be accepted with a postmark date by January 11, 2019. 

Completed applications must be dropped off at our main office or by our online submission form (see below) by January 14, 2019 by 5 p.m. Applicants may also mail in their applications with a postmark date by Friday, January 11. Winners will be contacted by January 20, 2019 and selected by the board of directors community committee.

Applicants will be judged on the knowledge of the subject, style, content, grammar and originality of the essay topic. Judges will also evaluate the applicants answers to their hobbies, volunteer work, extracurricular activities and why he or she would like to attend the tour or camp.