Youth Tour

After 15 unforgettable years leading Iowa's Youth Tour program, Shelly York reflects on the students, friendships and life-changing experiences that have defined her journey. As she prepares for retirement, she shares a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has made the program such a lasting success.

In the summer of 1976, Kathy Ryner boarded an airplane for the very first time to participate in the Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Fifty years later, Kathy (Ryner) Wunderlich found herself walking the halls of Congress once again.

The electric cooperative Youth Tour traces its origins to a national electric cooperative annual meeting in 1957. To date, more than 50,000 young people have participated, and it truly is a trip of a lifetime.

Now that the annual trip to the nation's capital is behind us, there is time to reflect on Youth Tour 2024. Learn why this trip creates gratitude among its leaders.

The Iowa Electric Cooperative Living 2024 Youth Tour Contest is now open! Discover the eligibility requirements for high school sophomores, juniors or seniors to win the trip of a lifetime.

In June, 38 Iowa students punched their tickets to the once-in-a-lifetime, whirlwind tour of our nation’s capital that’s known as Iowa Youth Tour! Learn more about this year's trip.

For the ninth year in a row, one lucky high school sophomore, junior or senior will have the opportunity to win a trip to Washington, D.C., through the Iowa Electric Cooperative Living 2023 Youth Tour Contest!

Youth Tour 2022 can be summed up simply by saying, “We’re back!” The pandemic was able to pause the 60-plus year tradition, but it certainly couldn’t stop it! In June, 34 Iowa students toured the nation’s capital and experienced all that the Youth Tour offers.

Students: Learn more about applying to win an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.!

The Iowa Youth Leadership Academy will be held as a three-part webinar series in October and is open to any high school student in the state. This new program is geared for rural Iowa students who have a passion for public service, leadership or government.