Students representing electric and telephone co-ops across the state recently returned home after the Youth Tour. This decades-long tradition sends them to Washington, D.C., for an unforgettable weeklong trip.
This year, 49 students sponsored by 25 Illinois electric and telephone cooperatives took part in the 2026 Youth Tour, held June 15-22, to visit the nation’s capital for an immersive experience designed to educate and inspire the next generation of cooperative and civic leaders.
EnerStar Electric sponsored 2 students within its service territory. These students included Halle Lawson and Ruth Sullivan, both of Paris. They joined more than 2,000 students representing 44 states for the annual event.
“Electric and telephone cooperatives across the state are investing in the next generation through Youth Tour,” said EnerStar’s CEO. “It gives students a chance to see our nation’s history and government up close. Just as importantly, it helps them discover their own potential as leaders.”
Central to the Youth Tour experience is the formation of a mock student-run cooperative called Chip ’n’ Pop Co-op. Students began their journey at the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives, headquartered in Springfield, where they selected the co-op’s board of directors. The board later interviewed and selected a co-op manager.
Throughout the week, the co-op handled snack sales, decision-making and budgeting — giving participants a hands-on look at how cooperatives operate. All students were members of the co-op. The purpose of the exercise is to get the students working together and making decisions that serve everyone — not just one person or company.
Over the course of the week, students visited historic landmarks, including Gettysburg, Arlington National Cemetery, and the U.S. Capitol, where they met U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. They also strolled the National Mall and explored the Smithsonian museums.
Midweek, students took part in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Day, where they joined hundreds of other teens from across the country to hear from national leaders and learn how to use their voices back home.
The week concluded with a farewell dinner and dance, and by the time students returned home on June 22, many said they felt changed by the experience.
“These students arrive in Washington, D.C., not knowing what to expect,” Griffin said. “By the end of the trip, they’ve built friendships, expanded their perspectives and gained a better understanding of how they can make a difference in their communities.”
High school students who live within EnerStar’s service area are eligible to participate in the annual program. To learn more about Youth Tour, go to https://www.enerstar.com/youth-tour. Applications for the 2027 tour will be available in October 2026.