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Youth Tour


More than 250 years ago, America’s founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and set in motion a legacy of leadership that shaped our nation. Today, the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour and NRECA’s Youth Programs continue that story by equipping young leaders with the skills, confidence and cooperative values to lead the next generation.

Youth Tour: Make Your Mark is a call to action for students to step forward, leave their imprint, and carry forward the cooperative legacy in their own communities.

Florida Youth Tour | February 4-5, 2026 

Students from across SVEC’s service territory will tour the co-op’s facilities and learn about the cooperative business model and the importance of local civic engagement. They will later join other Florida cooperatives in Tallahassee to further explore the state’s legislative process and the cooperative business model. Activities include tours of important sites such as the Florida Capitol and the Florida Supreme Court, Mock bill debates, and more. SVEC pays all tour expenses and provides chaperones.

National Electric Cooperative Youth Tour (Washington, D.C.) | June 14-20, 2026 

Two students from SVEC’s Florida Youth Tour will move forward as delegates to represent the state of Florida at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. They will be flown to Washington and join students from around the country on visits to sites such as the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Smithsonian, and Mount Vernon. Selection will be based on their Youth Tour application essays and overall participation during the Florida Youth Tour. SVEC pays all tour expenses and provides chaperones.

Additional Opportunities:

Youth tour involves a meaningful time commitment with the potential for additional opportunities. Learn more about each program below:

 

Questions? Contact us at communications@svec-coop.com

 

 

Eligibility:

To be eligible for Youth Tour, a student must:

  • Be enrolled in the 11th grade of a high school, private school, or home school in SVEC’s service territory
  • Have an unweighted grade point average of at least 3.0
  • Be a dependent of an SVEC member
  • Must not be a child or grandchild of a current SVEC employee or trustee

 

Essay & Tour Application

  • Students will be chosen based on a 250- to 500-word essay they submit on what community means to them and how they see their role in shaping it.
  • Applications must be submitted to SVEC by November 22, 2025.

Apply Online