YOUTH PROGRAMS
Following the cooperative principle of
Concern For Community, SWEC is proud to sponsor
youth programs for our local students.
Youth Tour 2025
WHAT IS YOUTH TOUR?
It is an all-expenses paid trip to our nation's capitol where participants go with more than 100 students from the Show-Me state and over 2000 students nationwide to tour museums, visit America's most cherished monuments and even meet their elected officials. All while learning about electric cooperatives and their role in the community, but more than anything these students have the time of their lives and create friendships that last a lifetime!
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND?
High school juniors who reside or attend school in Southwest Electric Cooperative's service territory.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It is totally FREE!
WHAT WILL YOU SEE?
The Washington Monument, The US Capitol, Smithsonian Museums, Arlington Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Wall, a boat cruise on the Potomac River & MUCH, MUCH, MORE!!!!
DATES: June 15-21 2025
HOW DOES THE CONTEST WORK?
Complete our Youth Tour Application and submit it to sburks@swec.coop by Feb. 28, 2025. The application includes three separate short essay style questions of 250 words each as well as a simple extra credit question. Once completed, email your application to sburks@swec.coop.
Submitted essays will be impartially judged based on grammar, spelling, originality, and depth of knowledge on the topic. The top ten students will then participate in an interview. Interviews will be held at SWEC's headquarters in Bolivar with a small panel of judges. The judges will pick the two students to represent SWEC on the Youth Tour and two to represent at CYCLE. SWEC will notify all students of their results in the contest via email.
CYCLE 2025
WHAT IS CYCLE?
The Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience or CYCLE program is a four-day leadership conference held annually in Jefferson City. It brings in some of the best and brightest young leaders from across Missouri. CYCLE provides students with first-hand experience in what it is like to be involved in the legislative process, the cooperative business model, and how to be a better leader. More than anything these students have the time of their lives and create friendships that last a lifetime.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND?
High school juniors who reside or attend school in Southwest Electric Cooperative's service territory.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It is totally FREE!
WHAT WILL YOU SEE?
The program includes nationally known speakers, a day at the Missouri State Capitol, a tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary, a day tour of St. Louis, and education about electric cooperatives. Students will also get the chance to sit in the chamber of the Missouri House of Representatives and debate a bill just like our elected officials would. They get to experience first-hand how laws are made to enhance the quality of life for all Missourians.
DATES: July 15-18 2025
Questions? Contact Sammy Burks at 417-326-5244 or sburks@swec.coop
Helpful Links
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives
