Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

Kankakee Valley REMC, along with Indiana Statewide Association of REC’s, Inc., will sponsor a trip to Washington, D.C. for two youths from area high schools. Students who attend the following schools are eligible to apply: Boone Grove, Chesterton, Crown Point, Hebron, Knox, Kouts, LaCrosse, Merrillville, Morgan Twp., North Judson, Oregon-Davis, South Central Community, Valparaiso, Washington Twp., West Central, Westville and Winamac. Students must have satisfactorily completed their junior year of high school, and plan to return for their senior year in the fall of 2008. Travel expenses from Indianapolis, meals lodging and scheduled event fees will be paid by Kankakee Valley REMC.

This opportunity gives students the chance to see our nation’s rich history and visit national monuments. It also allows students to meet over 1,000 students from other states, as well as learn more about electric cooperatives. The following information is a tentative schedule of activities. Indiana’s group will meet in Indianapolis on Thursday, June 12 at the headquarters of the Indiana Statewide Association of REC’s, Inc. The agenda for Thursday includes registration, a light luncheon and orientation with parents/guardians. The afternoon and evening will be spent getting to know each other and working together as a group to learn about the Indiana legislative process. On Friday, busses depart early for the Tour. The Tour various each year but some of the past activities have included a stop in Gettysburg, Pa. to see the battlefield. Shopping and sightseeing at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, and then on to Washington, D.C. Sunday through Wednesday is a full schedule of sight seeing and meetings, including visits to Washington, D.C.’s Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam, Korea and Lincoln Memorials, the National Cathedral and the Smithsonian museum. Evening activities have included general sightseeing and a cruise on the Potomac.

Monday morning, students will participate in a “Town Hall Meeting,” where they will share their thoughts and opinions on a variety of timely issues. This will prepare them for a busy Tuesday on Capitol Hill, when Indiana’s students will visit with representatives of Indiana’s Congressional delegation. The week ends with the “All-States Dinner Dance” at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. Indiana’s group will return to the headquarters of the Indiana Statewide Association of REC’s, Inc. on Thursday, June 19, 2008

This agenda is subject to change. For an application or additional information, contact your high school counselor, county extension office or call Jon Mack at Kankakee Valley REMC, (219) 733-2511 or 800-552-2622. Applications must be in REMC’s office by Friday, February 22, 2008.

Download the 2008 Youth Tour Application
Download the 2008 Youth Tour Essay Questions
Download the 2008 Youth Tour Letter
Download the 2008 Youth Tour Sample Itinerary

You can access the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association website for additional information.