Youth Tour

Announcing the 2024 Youth to Washington Contest!

A little bit about the Youth Tour Program…

The Youth Tour contest is open to high school sophomores and juniors. Each year, we select up to 34 students based on applications to travel as a group to Springfield to attend Illinois Electric and Telephone Youth Day in March or April. While in Springfield, we meet with students from cooperatives across Illinois and visit various historical sites in Springfield.

At the conclusion of Youth Day, judges from the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) will select two winners to represent Adams Electric Cooperative and two winners to represent Adams Telephone Co-Operative. One alternate is named for each co-op in case one of the winners is unable to attend.

Winners will spend one week in Washington, D.C. in June visiting places of historical interest, as well as members of Congress, and getting a firsthand view of our government in action. Students also learn more about the important role cooperatives play in our nation by organizing a Chip ‘N Pop Co-op on the tour bus.

Adams Electric Cooperative has been sending students to Washington, D.C. since 1959. Today, approximately 2,000 students from 42 cooperatives across the United States meet at our nation’s capital each summer.

Visit youthtour.coop for more details.

Join our Mailing List

Interested in a future Youth Tour?

Former Winner List

View a list of our former winners since 1959.

Youth Tour Photos

View photos from the 2019 Youth Day on the Smug Mug link below.

“Like” Adams Outlet on Facebook to follow Youth Day and Youth Tour. 

“Like” Illinois Youth to Washington on Facebook for photos and state-wide updates.