Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
Click here to apply for the 2025 Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
Electric cooperatives are committed to building the next generation of electric cooperative members.
Every June, approximately 50 students from around the state attend Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. This educational leadership experience takes high school sophomores and juniors on a fun and unique trip where they meet 2,000 other co-op teens from around the country. While in D.C., students learn about the unique cooperative business model, visit Capitol Hill to meet with Ohio’s legislative leaders, and experience the sights and sounds and rich history of our nation’s capital.
Why do electric cooperatives bring high school students to Washington, D.C.?
What makes electric cooperatives different from other utilities is that "giving something back to the community" is part of their seven cooperative principles.
It is important to learn about the political process and interact with your government. Participants will walk away from this week as better leaders and have a sense that they can make a difference.
The Youth Tour has brought high school students to Washington, D.C. every June since the late 1950s. Since then, over 40,000 students from rural areas and small towns across America have participated in this unique program.
Students gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as a citizen by meeting representatives and senators and exploring the nation's capital.
Ohio Cooperative Youth Day
Click here to apply for the 2025 Cooperative Youth Day trip.
Ohio Cooperative Youth Day is an annual trip sponsored by Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative focused on introducing young leaders to the legislative process and allowing them the opportunity to learn about our government and its relationship with rural electric cooperatives. High school sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply for the trip.
This year's trip will take place on Oct. 23, 2025, and will include a tour of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, where they will have the opportunity to meet with local legislators and ask questions regarding issues impacting their lives. Space for up to 35 students is available, with preference given to children of current LMRE members.
LMRE student representatives will be joined by other students sponsored by co-ops across Ohio for the one-day trip.
Cooperative Youth Day is the first step in LMRE's youth engagement initiative, aimed at educating students about the cooperative business model. Those who attend Youth Day will have the opportunity to learn more about the Ohio's Electric Cooperatives annual Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C., how that application process works, and express interest in receiving more information once applications are available.