High school juniors have a chance to join other Indiana youth on a trip of a lifetime. Applications are now available for the 2013 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.

Indiana’s electric cooperatives have hosted the Youth Tour since 1960, providing hundreds of young Hoosiers the opportunity to visit our nation’s capitol and learn about the federal government and the cooperative utility industry. The trip begins on June 12 in Indianapolis and ends on June 20. 

The Indiana delegation will meet in Indianapolis on June 12 to get acquainted and learn about electric cooperatives and electrical safety. Students will also enjoy a kick-off dinner at the Indiana Statehouse featuring a keynote address from a prominent political and/or business leader. The student group makes its first stop on Thursday afternoon at the 9/11 Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., before arriving in Gettysburg, Pa., later that evening. In recognition of the 150 anniversary of the Civil War battle, this year students will spend two days touring battlefield sites, visiting the wax museum and viewing “Fields of Freedom” – a short film providing an in-depth look at the war’s most famous battle. Following dinner Friday night at the Dobbin House Tavern, built in 1776, students and chaperones will hear an historic account of what it was like to live in Gettysburg during what many consider to be the bloodiest three days in American history.

The caravan arrives in Washington, D.C. on Saturday afternoon to begin a full schedule of sight-seeing, visits to the National Memorials – including the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial – a collection of museums, such as the Newseum and the National Archives, plus a night cruise on the Potomac River and a trip back in history at Medieval Times® . Students will also have an opportunity to compete for a $1,000 scholarship and the Youth Leadership Council.

On Tuesday, students will visit Capitol Hill and participate in exclusive meetings with Indiana’s Congressional delegation and legislative staff. During the meetings, students will have a chance to ask questions about current issues and topics which they feel are important to them, their family and the communities in which they live.

Bartholomew County REMC is pleased to be able to provide this opportunity for local students. It’s a great trip and a wonderful chance to see the sights, make new friends and learn how everyone, even young people, can make a difference in the political process.

Applications are due at the Bartholomew County REMC office by end of the day, March 8th (this date has been extended from Feb. 22nd).  Call Marty Lasure at 418-5003 if you have any questions.