Youth Tour is sponsored by Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) in conjunction with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Together, the organizations coordinate activities, learning sessions, and face-to-face meet-ups with their local law makers over the course of a week-long visit to Washington D.C.

In June 2024 students from 44 states, including 17 Michigan delegates representing all MECA member co-ops, embarked on a journey to the nation’s capital to learn about our country’s history and their roles as informed citizens.

Cultivating Future Energy Leaders

By bringing together students from diverse backgrounds, Youth Tour promotes inclusivity and open membership, core cooperative principles. These students learn the value of cooperative democratic member control as they engage with the political process and understand how their voices can make a difference.

Students are encouraged to think independently, form their own opinions, and understand the importance of personal and collective responsibility.

Landen Winsor, student delegate from Wolverine Power Cooperative, attended this year’s tour and found it to be eye-opening.

“One thing I took away was the importance of advocacy. Sometimes it feels like the world is too big for you to change anything about it,” said Winsor. “Hearing how [law makers] were addressing issues related to rural Michigan was enlightening and encouraging.”

For many of these students, the Youth Tour is a transformative experience.

“It’s amazing to watch students grow and gain self-confidence as they navigate a myriad of new situations on the trip,” said Michigan Youth Tour Director Katie Deller. “This journey is more than an educational trip; it’s an empowering experience that instills confidence and a sense of responsibility in each participant.”

Education & Community Involvement

Youth Tour is a testament to the cooperative principle of education, training, and information as well. Students gain invaluable insights into the energy sector and the workings of government, preparing them to be informed, active citizens.

“The students not only get to experience historical sites, monuments and memorials firsthand, they learn about the history of electric cooperatives,” said Deller. “How co-ops are different than other types of utilities and the incredible work they have done and continue to do across rural America.”

Michigan delegates met with Sen. Debbie Stabenow, as well as engaged in a candid conversation with staffers from Congressman Bergman’s office.

Great Lakes Energy CEO Shaun Lamp attended this year’s Youth Tour as a chaperone. He invited students along for his morning runs where they asked him questions about the industry and career paths. He was impressed by their thoughtfulness and preparedness.

“The engagement, knowledge level, and enthusiasm of the delegates was fantastic,” noted Lamp. “We didn’t prep them with questions for their meeting with [Congressman Bergman’s] staff, but they asked really good and relevant questions on their own. It’s a reminder that their generation is going to do some great things.”

Cooperation Among Cooperatives

Through Youth Tour, there is a continuous connection to “cooperation among cooperatives” another key principle. Michigan’s student delegates had the opportunity to meet and bond with fellow students in their state and learn from one another’s experiences.

“My favorite part of Youth Tour was the people. My peers were not only willing to push me intellectually, but also physically as we did many miles of walking,” said Winsor. “The sights and experiences would not have been as memorable if not for the people I was with.”

Lamp concurred with his fellow travel companion.

“I cannot say enough how impressed I am with all 17 delegates from Michigan. It was an honor and privilege to spend time with these young people,” reflected Lamp. “They give me great confidence that our future is in good hands.”

A Special Thanks

Youth Tour couldn’t exist without the dedication of staff, directors, coordinators, chaperones, bus drivers, and the many volunteers. Their commitment to the enrichment of the students in our cooperative footprint is nothing short of astounding.

A special thanks to the many folks from Michigan who made this experience possible:

MECA Youth Tour Director Katie Deller and VP of Administration Dawn Coon, who breathed new life into the program after the pandemic and provide a safe environment for the students to experience D.C. while also spreading their wings.

Volunteers and chaperones: Katie Deller (MECA), Dawn Coon (Wolverine), Shaun Lamp (Great Lakes), Jamie Trommater (HomeWorks), and Kristen Hartley (Cherryland)

All seventeen of Michigan’s delegate students: Norah Bray (MEC), Heidi Freydank (Alger Delta), Areea Johnson (MEC), Kenzie Karcher (HomeWorks), Brady Lamp (Great Lakes), Abigail Mason (Great Lakes), Emma Morden (HomeWorks), Rebekah Skiera (PIE&G), Karlie Smith (Great Lakes), Grant Smith (HomeWorks), Allison Sommer (Thumb Electric), Diana Torola (Ontonagon), Dylan Underwood (HomeWorks), David Wahl (Great Lakes), Gretchen Weiland (PIE&G), and Landen Winsor (Wolverine)

Katie Deller (MECA), Dawn Coon (Wolverine), Shaun Lamp (Great Lakes), Jamie Trommater (HomeWorks), and Kristen Hartley (Cherryland)