Washington D.C. Youth Tour Application

Southeastern Electric Cooperative will once again sponsor high school (juniors and seniors) on an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Each June, over 1,800 high school juniors and seniors travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Rural Electric Youth Tour. Throughout the week, participants will explore about Washington, D.C., learning about government, cooperative philosophy and rural electrification. The students are selected and sponsored by their local rural electric cooperatives with the South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA) coordinating the trip for South Dakota students.

Tour highlights include the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, Ford’s Theatre, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Iwo Jima Statue, National Archives, U.S Supreme Court, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial among other exciting sites. Students will also participate in a briefing with the South Dakota Congressional Delegation and a river boat cruise across the Potomac River.

Who is Eligible? All area high school juniors and seniors whose parents or guardians are members of Southeastern Electric Cooperative.

What Does It Cost? Southeastern Electric, along with the other participating local electric cooperatives fully fund the tour. The tour covers each participant’s transportation, accommodations, meals, entertainment, and sightseeing events. Students are required to provide their spending money (for snacks, souvenirs, etc.).

When is it Held? The weeklong trip will take place from June 15-21, 2025. Participants will meet for an orientation meeting on Sunday, June 15 at the Brandon Golf Course. The group will bus to Minneapolis and then fly the next morning to D.C. on Monday, June 16, and return to South Dakota on Saturday, June 21. A commercial bus will be used for transportation while in D.C.

How do I Qualify? Each entrant must submit an essay, not to exceed 500 words, on the following topic:

“What moment in American history do you wish you had been a part of, and what would you have contributed?”

All essays must be typed and include a cover sheet that states the title of the essay, the entrant’s name and address, name of parent or guardian and the name of your school.

Please complete the online form and submit your essay below.

Deadline to apply is December 16, 2024.