Students – Let Your Dreams Take Flight!
Apply for the 2026 Youth Tour in D.C.
Missoula Electric Cooperative is thrilled to invite students to apply for the 2026 Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., happening June 13–20, 2026.
Each year, MEC sponsors students to join over 1,800 peers from across the nation for a week packed with history, leadership, and unforgettable experiences.
Student participants will:
- Travel for FREE to Washington, D.C.
- Tour world-famous museums, monuments, and memorials
- Meet U.S. Senators and Representatives face-to-face
- Discover the impact of rural electrification
- Make lifelong friends from across the country
But don’t just take our word for it… hear from Maryssa Skinner, a Frenchtown High School junior who represented MEC at Youth Tour in 2025:
“I will be forever grateful for this opportunity, and don’t think that I will ever be able to express how much this trip meant to me. I was able to grow in ways I didn’t think was possible.” When asked what stood out the most, Maryssa shared: “I was able to get outside of my comfort zone by talking to congressmen and was able to expand my knowledge in places like Gettysburg and the Smithsonian. I learned more about how our country works, the Naval Academy, and how important Arlington is.” She also reflected on her MEC sponsorship: “I realized the importance of rural electric cooperatives, and that makes me even more grateful to you guys. I also learned the power of advocacy and why we need it.” And beyond the educational moments, Maryssa excitedly shared, “I met some of the coolest people that quickly became friends!”
How to Apply:
Missoula Electric Cooperative will send one lucky student to D.C. this June. To apply for a chance to win, students are asked to write an essay answering this year’s question:
“All cooperatives share a concern for their communities. Write about how your local cooperative supports your community or detail new ways they could get involved.”
- Essay submissions open: Friday, November 3, 2025, at 8 a.m.
- Deadline to apply: Friday, November 28, 2025, at 5 p.m.
- Apply online.
Students… don’t miss this chance to boost your resume, expand your horizons, and create memories that last a lifetime! Apply today and this trip of a lifetime could be YOURS!
