2026 Youth Tour: All-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. 

High School sophomores and juniors: Write a winning essay and win a trip of a lifetime! The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. is set for June 14-20, 2026. Compose the winning essay and represent Slope Electric Cooperative as part of the North Dakota delegation.

Every June, as many as 1,800 high school students from across the country spend a week in the nation's capital as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The students are sponsored by electric cooperatives – cooperatives that are committed to educating America's rural youth about America and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.

Participating in the Youth Tour is an awesome way to learn about this great nation, develop leadership skills, gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, and make friendships that will last beyond the week. 

Youth Tour

Essay contest guidelines for the Rural Electric Youth Tour:

  • You must be a sophomore or junior in high school.

  • You and your parents or guardian must be served by Slope Electric Cooperative, Inc.

  • The essay is not to exceed two standard 8.5” x 11” typewritten, double-spaced pages, on this topic: "As member-owned organizations, electric cooperatives are always seeking new ways to engage their members. What are some ways electric cooperatives can better communicate and connect, especially with students and young adults?"

  • Submit an essay in hard copy or electronic format to Slope Electric. Electronic submissions should conform to the two-page, double-spaced guideline described above. Include a cover page with your name, date of birth, school and grade in 2025, parent or guardian's name, address and telephone number. 

  • Essays must arrive at Slope Electric no later than January 16, 2026. E-mailed entries should be directed to Brooke Waltner at bwaltner@slopeelectric.coop. You may submit a hard copy which should be mailed to: Youth Tour Essay Contest, Slope Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 338, New England, ND 58647-0338. 

  • Essays will be evaluated and the winner selected by impartial, qualified judges.

  • If you have any questions, please contact Brooke Waltner at Slope Electric at the address above, or call (701) 579-4191 or (800) 559-4191 during regular business hours.