Youth Programs

Youth Tour to Washington  --  Youth Leadership Council  --  YLC Scholarship

Youth Power & Hope Awards  --  Touchstone Energy Camp

Youth Tour to Washington: Steuben County REMC is proud to host two students each year for the NRECA Rural Electric Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Indiana's Touchstone Energy cooperatives have hosted the Youth Tour since 1960, providing hundreds of young Hoosiers the opportunity to visit our nation's capital and learn about the federal government and the cooperative utility industry.

Nearly 1,500 students from all over the country join together to see the sites, like Gettysburg National Battlefield and the national memorials, learn powerful leadership skills during several training and educational programs and meet with representatives of their state's Congressional delegation. The trip is an exciting whirlwind of fun, learning and growing, all packed into a single outing.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the Youth Tour to Washington program, please complete this application. Students must be high school Juniors at the time of application. Students will complete an essay and application and take part in an interview process before selection decisions are made. Close relatives of current and former REMC directors or employees are not eligible. 2012's Youth Tour will take place June 13-21.

Youth Leadership Council: Students who are selected to participate in the Youth Tour to Washington are invited and encouraged to try out for the Youth Leadership Council. One delegate will be chosen to represent the state of Indiana. The chosen delegate will return to Washington, D.C. in July for the YLC Leadership Conference, during which those who display a talent for public speaking are given the opportunity to compete for the title of National YLC Spokesperson. This spokesperson will have the honor of speaking before the membership at the NRECA Annual Meeting and address the Youth Tour delegation the following year in a return trip to D.C. Indiana's YLC delegate will also speak at the ISA Annual Meeting.  Delegates are chosen based on three criteria; public speaking, delegate interview and leadership and interaction with peers, the most important of which is the public speaking component.

YLC Scholarship: The student who has been chosen for the Indiana Youth Leadership Council will be given a $1,000 scholarship from the Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. Winners are based on their ability to write and deliver speeches.

Youth Power and Hope Awards: Sponsored by the Electric Consumer, the Youth Power and Hope awards recognize Indiana fifth through eigth graders who have played an important role in their communities. The publication issues a call for entries each fall, during which time entrants complete an essay regarding community service, listing their community involvement and providing a letter of reference. The winners are honored in a ceremony at the Indiana Statewide Asosciation of Rural Electric Cooperatives' Annual Meeting. In addition, these civic-minded youngsters receive a night's stay in Indianapolis and a $100 gift card, and take place in a special luncheon. Read more about the awards here.

Touchstone Energy Camp: Each summer Steuben County REMC selects two sixth graders from schools within our service territory to attend Touchstone Energy Camp in Brookston, Ind. Students come together with others from all over the state at Camp Tecumseh for a four-day adventure of activities where they learn about electricity, electrical safety, cooperatives and the environment, all while mixing in some fun with horseback riding, wall climbing, bucket truck rides, swimming and much more. We are proud to serve as a partner in this community and to offer new and exciting experiences to our future leaders. 2012's camp will take place June 6-9.