Arkansas Valley Electric will have two high school juniors participate in the 2022 Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Washington, D.C., from June 17-23. Students selected to participate will have an opportunity to earn a $5,000 scholarship. Applications are now open to all juniors enrolled at a local high school or homeschool whose parents or guardians are AVECC members. 

Youth Tour is a leadership-based opportunity for students to connect with their community and cooperative. Two students will represent AVECC as they join students from electric cooperatives across the nation in Washington, D.C., to learn about cooperatives' impact on rural communities. Students will have an opportunity to meet Arkansas’ congressional delegation, visit historic sites, such as Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Institution, Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the U.S. Capitol. 

At its core, Youth Tour is a grassroots campaign to bring awareness of the endless opportunities available to the next generation of rural leaders. 

Brandon Fisher, AVECC Technology and Communication Manager, stated, “It is vital for our youth to learn how they can advocate for their communities. They can learn these life-changing skills by building relationships from across the nation.”

AVECC Multimedia Intern and former AVECC Youth Tour participant Emily Staton shared, “Youth Tour is a pivotal moment that will change your perspective on how our country functions both locally and on a national scale.”  

High school juniors may apply by filling out the online application available on the Washington Youth Tour page. 

Please note: COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place. Youth Tour will follow pandemic travel guidelines set by the airlines, Washington, D.C., and Virginia.