Youth Tour

An unforgettable opportunity for students to learn leadership and civic engagement in Washington, D.C.

What is Youth Tour?

2027 Government-In-Action Youth Leadership Tour

Youth Tour is an all-expense-paid trip for high school juniors to learn about different aspects of the government, meet their members of Congress and visit historical sites.

This year, NEC will send two delegates from the cooperative to participate. This year’s trip will begin in Austin, Texas on June 15, 2027, and continue on to tour sites in Washington D.C. before the trip concludes on June 23rd, 2027. The travel package, valued at more than $4,400, includes air transportation to and from Washington D.C., hotel stay, meals, admission fees, and $250 cash for extra expenses. PLUS: Each winner will also receive a $1,000 scholarship, should they attend an accredited Texas college or university.

For additional information, email communications@nueceselectric.org or call 361-387-2581 and ask for Communications.

Eligibility & Requirements

1. Applicant must be a high school student in junior year of high school and must not have already participated in Youth Tour through any Texas Cooperative.

2. Applicant must have consent of and reside in the home with a parent or legal guardian who is a current member of Nueces Electric Cooperative.

3. Applicant must return the completed application and either a written essay or a video submission along with a recent head and shoulder digital photo by Sunday, December 13, 2026. Applications must be submitted online under the Submit Youth Tour Application tab.

4.You may choose to submit either a video or an essay. 

Theme: Your voice has power.

As a young person, what does it mean to have a voice in your community? Describe an issue, cause, or opportunity that matters to you and explain how you have used, or would like to use, your voice to make a difference.

5. Video submissions must be 3–5 minutes in length. All video submissions become NEC property. View more instructions for this video on the “Video Submission Instructions” tab.

6. Essay submissions must be 400–600 words in length, typed and single-spaced. Essays must be submitted in a combined PDF with the application.

7. Applications will be scored on accuracy of information, grammar, originality and content. Applicants must be able to interview in-person if they are selected as Finalists.

8. From the group of Finalists, the Winners will be selected based on the score from their essay and their interview with a panel of judges where they will be scored based on simple knowledge of the Cooperative, knowledge of government, poise, and communication skills. (Possible interview questions will be provided to Finalists ahead of time.)

9. Each Winner must also be able to attend the June 2027 Board of Directors Meeting as well as the October 2027 Annual Meeting to speak on behalf of Youth Tour to encourage others to apply.

10. A First Runner-Up will be named to take the place of the Winner should they be unable to meet these requirements or is found to be a poor representative of the Cooperative.