Each summer, electric cooperatives from across the country send outstanding high school students to Washington, D.C., for an experience unlike anything found in a classroom. Craighead Electric Cooperative is proud to once again select local students to represent our community on the 2026 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour — a week of leadership, history, and discovery in our nation’s capital. Apply online: https://craigheadelectric.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1655809.
Applications are officially open now through February 27, 2026 for current high school juniors (2025–26 school year). The tour will take place June 13–19, 2026.
For decades, the Youth Tour has brought young Arkansans face-to-face with America’s institutions and the people who serve within them — from visits with Arkansas’s congressional delegation, to guided tours of national monuments, to special programs designed to help students grow as leaders. Students return home inspired by the stories of those who shaped our nation and energized by the friendships built with students from every corner of Arkansas.
“It’s powerful to watch students realize that their voices matter,” said Lindsey Bowman, VP of Marketing and 2025 Youth Tour Chaperone.. “Youth Tour opens their eyes to careers in public service, the impact of civic engagement, and the value of learning from people with different backgrounds and perspectives — right there where history was made.”
What Students Will Experience
On the Youth Tour, students explore some of Washington’s most iconic places and hidden gems. The itinerary typically includes:
- U.S. Capitol and Library of Congress
- Smithsonian museums
- Arlington National Cemetery
- National Archives
- Memorials honoring veterans, civil rights leaders, and presidents
- Mt. Vernon or other historic sites
- Evening leadership workshops and social events with students statewide
But the greatest impact is often what students carry home — new confidence, a stronger understanding of democracy, and lifelong friendships.
A Competitive and Meaningful Selection
Each year, Craighead Electric receives applications from impressive young leaders — students involved in student government, community service, athletics, the arts, and more. The selection process considers academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, character, and communication skills.
While the trip is educational, it’s also a celebration: Youth Tour students represent the future of Arkansas. They are often nominated for scholarships, selected for statewide leadership councils, or invited to speak about their experiences in their schools and communities.
Why Cooperatives Support Youth Tour
Electric cooperatives were founded to serve rural communities — and that mission extends well beyond delivering electricity. Cooperatives invest in the next generation of leaders because strong communities rely on young people who are prepared to step forward.
How to Apply
Eligible students must be high school juniors during the 2025–26 school year and live within Craighead Electric’s service area. The application process includes an online application and short personal responses about leadership, community involvement, and future goals.
Visit https://craigheadelectric.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1655809 and submit your application by February 27, 2026.
We encourage parents, teachers, school counselors, and youth organizations to share this opportunity with students who show curiosity, initiative, and a desire to learn.
