Washington, DC Youth Tour

Each year, BENCO Electric Cooperative partners with the National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association (NRECA) and Minnesota Rural Electrical Association (MREA) to award an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC for one high-school sophomore or junior whose parents are BENCO members. In 2025, the trip will take place June 16 - 21, 2025.

BENCO’s Washington, DC Youth Tour delegate will embark on a jam-packed schedule including visits to the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian National Museum, Mount Vernon, the FBI Headquarters and much more! They may also take in a show at the Kennedy Center, dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and spend a day on Capitol Hill, meeting Minnesota’s Senators and Representatives.

BENCO’s 2022 Washington, DC Youth Tour Delegate says, “This was a phenomenal experience and has made me want to focus on pursuing a career in law. Washington, DC is an important city and inspired me to be one of the change-makers.” This is a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in our nation’s government and your local electric cooperative.

To apply, please click here.

Please be prepared to submit the student’s name, parent’s name, email address, name of high school, a list of activities the student is involved in and an essay titled “Why I want to go to Washington, DC”. Entries must be received no later than Friday, February 21, 2025.