Each year, students are selected from REC’s service territory to join the Virginia Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) on a once in a lifetime tour of Washington, D.C. to attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's (NRECA) Youth Tour.
Are you a high school junior with big dreams and a passion for making a difference? If your family gets electricity from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC), this opportunity is calling your name.
The application period for the 2026 Youth Tour (June 15-19, 2026) is now open and will close January 31, 2026.
APPLY HERE
Youth Tour is not just a trip. It is an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that can change the way you see your future. This is your chance to stand where leaders have stood, see history up close, and imagine yourself making an impact.
VMDAEC Youth Tour Information | NRECA Youth Tour Information
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUTH TOUR? Please email community@myrec.coop.
How Youth Tour Started: Youth Tour was inspired by Sen. Lyndon Baines Johnson when he addressed the NRECA Annual Meeting in 1957. The senator and future president declared, "If one thing goes out of this meeting, it will be sending youngsters to the national capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and represents."
Local Students Represent REC During 2025 Youth Tour
Four local high school students had the opportunity of a lifetime this June as they represented Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) during the 2025 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. Nigel Foster of Winchester, Juliana Hernandez of Orange County, Seren McCoy of Hanover County and Noble Richter of Fauquier County joined more than 1,600 students from across the nation for a fast-paced and inspiring week focused on leadership and civic engagement through the lens of the electric cooperative model.
The experience began June 16, when students arrived at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center, quickly diving into leadership training and orientation with their peers from across Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. The schedule included visits to national landmarks, educational institutions, and points of historical significance. Highlights included standing on the steps of the Capitol, meeting with Congressional staff, a cruise along the Potomac River, and a game at Nationals Park. Along the way, they gained insight into the unique role electric cooperatives play in powering communities and shaping local economies.
Each day was packed with opportunities—from engaging with elected officials and visiting national memorials, to learning about the cooperative difference and connecting with like-minded students from diverse backgrounds. The group’s final day even included a behind-the-scenes tour of operations at the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative campus in Gainesville.
Read the full story here: Local Students Represent REC During 2025 Youth Tour
For more information on Youth Tour, please email community@myrec.coop.