Helping co-op youth make their mark
Washington, D.C. Youth Tour by General Manager Steve Stroshane
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t Polk-Burnett, we're fortunate to work with students and support our next generation of leaders through our co-op scholarship and Youth Tour programs. I'm sure most of you are familiar with our scholarship program, but Youth Tour while just as impactful, is a bit of an unsung hero.
The Electric Co-op Youth Tour gives students an opportunity to shape the course of their life. Participants say the experience is life-changing, and they gain newfound confidence to make their mark on the world around them.
Each summer, Polk-Burnett sponsors high school seniors to represent our co-op and community at the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour of Washington, D.C. This once-in-a lifetime experience is more than sightseeing in our nation's Capital. It's about preparing co-op youth for the future, helping them grow as leaders, discovering the power of their voice and building connections that last far beyond the trip. Our 2025 Wisconsin delegation, pictured above, included local students Lily Kasper and Christine Pickard. I invite you to read their story in the July 2025 Powerlines.
Our next Youth Tour takes place in June 2026, where two new Polk-Burnett delegates will join more than 1,800 students from across the country in Washington, D.C. During the trip, students will:
> Develop leadership skills and learn about rural electric cooperatives with hands-on experiences and workshops.
> Strengthen their resume with a nationally recognized program that stands out to colleges and employers.
> Connect with peers from Wisconsin and across the country, building friendships that last long after the trip.
> Meet with elected officials and learn how government impacts them and their local community.
> Experience history by visiting national monuments, Arlington National Cemetery and Smithsonian Museums.
Youth Tour is hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association. It was inspired by then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson when he addressed the 1957 NRECA Annual Meeting in Chicago as a way for rural youth to experience U.S. democracy in action.
It's with great pride that Polk-Burnett has sponsored more than 40 Youth Tour delegates over the past four decades, covering all expenses for local students, including flights, lodging and meals. Our co-op Youth Tour and scholarship programs are funded with unclaimed Capital Credits that would be forfeited to the state if not used for education, and by the generosity of members who donate their Capital Credits. Each year, thousands of dollars are awarded to children of co-op members.
Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative will select two student delegates for an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June 2026. View requirements and application for this trip of a lifetime.
Donate Capital Credits to support education
Do you know you can donate your future Capital Credits to the Youth Tour and scholarship fund? It's an excellent opportunity to support education for students of co-op member families. Please contact us for assistance, 800-421-0283, ext. 335, or enroll on our website. Thank you!
