K.C. Electric Association, Inc.

Students can compete for the chance to participate in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Rural Electric Youth Tour held every June in Washington, D.C. The Washington D.C. Youth Tour is coordinated by NRECA each summer to bring together young adults from across the nation to give them an inside look at our national government, as well as the electric utility industry from the national level. Electric cooperatives from across the country sponsor students from their respective service territories to attend this exciting event. K.C. Electric sponsors a student(s) to attend the NRECA Rural Electric Youth Tour each year. Items on the agenda include visits to Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam Memorial, other historic sites, attending a play at the Ford's Theater, an energy contest between states, a dance, as well as a trip to Capitol Hill for a visit with Congressional representatives. Prior to leaving for Washington, the local student(s) selected will join fellow participants from around the state in Denver to tour the State capitol and visit with the Colorado state-wide rural electric association officials.

Students applying for the trip are required to submit an application along with an essay on a topic selected each year regarding some aspect of the energy industry. The essay must be a minimum of 300 words. Selection of the winner is based on information provided on the application and the essay content. Application packets for the NRECA Rural Electric Youth Tour are mailed to area high school counselors in late October with the deadline set in mid-December. The all expenses paid trip is a wonderful opportunity for local students to see our nation's Capitol. Application packets can also be picked up at the K.C. Electric office. The contest is open to all junior class students whose parents or legal guardian are K.C. Electric members.

For more information on the NRECA Youth Tour please visit: http://www.youthtour.coop

Colorado Electric Education Institute Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp

Each year students, ambassadors and camp counselors (one hundred strong) meet in Steamboat Springs for a fun filled week learning about electric cooperatives. Camp is held in July each year. Students stay at the Glen Eden Resort located in Clark, Colorado which is 24 miles north of Steamboat Springs near Steamboat Lake

Students are chosen and sponsored by Rural Electric Cooperatives from all over Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and Oklahoma. The camp is designed to provide a better understanding of cooperatives, legislative processes, energy prices, power generation, and the rural electric cooperative program. The camp also concentrates on developing leadership skills to handle the challenges of the future.

The camp is run by the students and provides an excellent learning experience. Field trips included a tour of the Trapper Mine which is a large open-pit coal mine and the Craig electric generation power plant. Various committees are responsible for planning a hot spring swimming party, a dance, a banquet and other evening entertainment.

Although much of camp is dedicated to learning they make it fun. They have the opportunity to write and act out commercials for Touchstone Energy. They play beach volleyball, go swimming and even have a couple of dances. Although it is an action packed week strong friendships develop.

If you would like to attend camp next summer contact your school counselor when school starts in the fall, or call Member Services 719-743-2431. To enter the contest, students must submit a 250 word essay: How do Cooperatives benefit your community?