YOUTH TOUR 2026 | JUNE 14 - 20
Congratulations Bryce and Ben!
ACEC is proud to announce our 2026 Youth Tour Representatives - Bryce Kelly and Ben Gelner.
Bryce is a junior at Western Dubuque High School and is the son of Andy and Corey Kelly. Ben is a sophomore at Starmont High School and is the son of Chris and Meg Gelner.
This year’s trip runs June 14-20. During the whirlwind trip, students will run their own their own snack cooperative to learn about the co-op business model, visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Monument and others on the National Mall and Memorial Parks, spend a day at the Capitol and more.
2027 Applications Available in November 2026
Applications are now available for the 2027 Youth Tour will be available online and at the Co-op in November 2026. Interested students can pick up a paper copy of the application at our ACEC office in Postville or can download the application and email it or mail it back. All applications will be due by January 31, 2027. Applicants will be notified of the next steps in the process by email.
If you have any questions about the tour or the application process, contact Jennifer Achenbach at 888-788-1551. Click here to review the official Youth Tour rules.
What is Youth Tour?
Electric Cooperatives are committed to educating America's rural youth about America and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.
Every June, as many as 1,800 high school students from across the country are sponsored by America's Electric Cooperatives to spend a week in the nation's capital as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Participating in the Youth Tour is a terrific way to learn about this great nation, develop leadership skills, better understand electric cooperatives, and make friendships that will last beyond the week!
Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative selects two high school sophomores or juniors to represent the Co-op on Youth Tour. If selected, you will join hundreds of other students from across the country - all expenses paid - for an incredible week in our nation's capital.
Students on Youth Tour learn about electric cooperatives, American history, and the U.S government. They visit with their representatives in the House and the Senate and see the sights around Washington, D.C.
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY?
You must be a current high school sophomore or junior, and your parents or legal guardians must be members of Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative. A completed application form must be submitted by the end of January each year.
ACEC provides each applicant with an open book test and an information booklet. The applicant must return the completed exam by the due date; the test scores will determine the five finalists. A personal interview will determine the winners of two Youth Tour trips. The three remaining finalists will each receive a $100 cash prize. You can download the complete application rules here: 2026 Youth Tour Application Rules
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH TOUR:
