Rural Electric Youth Tour Program

An all-expenses-paid educational trip to Washington, D.C. for high school juniors whose parents/guardians are REA Energy Cooperative members.

Geographic Scope: REA Energy Cooperative service area in Pennsylvania (Indiana and Ebensburg offices)

Program Details:

• Started nationally in 1964 by the National Rural Electric Association (NRECA)
• Over 1,600 students from 42 states participate nationally
• REA Energy sends up to 9 high school juniors annually

Eligibility:

• Must be a high school junior
• Parents or legal guardians must be REA Energy Cooperative members
• Selected based on: academic achievement, in-school and extracurricular activities, leadership skills, and interview performance

What's Included:

• All-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
• Tour of nation's capital
• Visits with federal legislators
• Visits to famous landmarks (Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument)
• Smithsonian Institute visit
• National Zoo visit
• Opportunity to meet students from across the nation
• Educational experience and week of activities
• Participants only need to bring money for souvenirs and snacks

Contact Information:

• Phone: 724-349-4800 or toll-free 1-800-211-5667
• Email: reaenergy@reaenergy.com
• Contact: Stacy Patterson
• Address: P.O. Box 70, Indiana, PA 15701-0070
• Also available through school guidance counselors

Application Process

1. Request student information packet by contacting:
   • Phone: 724-349-4800 (ask for Stacy Patterson)
   • Email: reaenergy@reaenergy.com
   • Or through your school's guidance counselor
2. Complete the student information packet which includes:
   • Student information sheet
   • Instructions and final guidelines
3. Gather required materials:
   • Completed student information sheet
   • Recent school photo
   • Current school transcripts
4. Mail packet to:
   • Stacy Patterson
   • c/o REA Energy Cooperative, Inc.
   • P.O. Box 70
   • Indiana, PA 15701-0070
5. Deadline: All student packets must be received no later than February 8 (annually)
6. Selection process:
   • Finalists notified by February 11 (annually)
   • Finalists participate in interviews
   • Final selection based on academic achievement, activities, interview performance, leadership potential, and ability to represent school and cooperative
7. Note: Decision of judges is final. Cooperative employees may attend as chaperones.