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Youth Tour

High school student standing in front of the Washington MonumentHS Juniors: APPLY TODAY for an all-expense paid trip to D.C.!

At BBEC, we’re guided by the 7 cooperative principles, one of which is Education, Training, and Information. Our Youth Tour Program is designed to empower young people by teaching them about:

  • Cooperative Principles
  • The American Democratic System
  • Rural Electrification and Electric Cooperatives

About the Youth Tour Program

Each year, high school juniors from our cooperative community compete for a chance to join this life-changing experience. BBEC selects 2 winners who will travel to Washington, DC, in June to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Youth Tour. Once there, you will get the opportunity to explore numerous monuments, museums and historic sites. This program not only offers a guided tour of our nation’s capital but also a chance to compete against other Youth Tour participants to represent our state at the next NRECA annual meeting.

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Eligibility:

  • To apply, you must be a high school junior, and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must be BBEC members at the time of your application and selection.

Application Period:

  • The application window opens each year on September 1 and runs through approximately the first week of January. During this time, you can pick up an application packet at BBEC’s Ritzville office, from your high school counselor or download it using the link below.

APPLICATION PACKET

Deadline:

  • Completed applications and essays must be received in BBEC’s Ritzville office no later than January 7th, 2027 at 5:30 p.m.

Selection Criteria:

Applications are evaluated based on:

  • Written Essay (30%): On a topic selected by BBEC
  • Scholastic Record (20%): Your academic achievements
  • School, Community, and Leadership Activities (25%): Your involvement and contributions
  • Personal Interview (25%): Conducted by a panel of BBEC representatives

Judging is conducted by a 3-person committee of BBEC representatives. Youth Tour Program winners will be introduced at the BBEC annual meeting of members, which is held each year in either February or March.

Questions?

For more information about the Youth Tour Program, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help!

Youth Tour Application (PDF)