Washington, DC Youth Tour
Each year, BENCO Electric Cooperative partners with the National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association (NRECA) and Minnesota Rural Electrical Association (MREA) to award an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC for one high-school sophomore or junior whose parents are BENCO members.
BENCO’s Washington, DC Youth Tour delegate will enjoy a full, exciting schedule June 15 - 20, 2026, including visits to the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian National Museum, Mount Vernon, and FBI Headquarters. The tour may also include a show at the Kennedy Center, dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and a day on Capitol Hill meeting Minnesota’s Senators and Representatives.
BENCO’s 2025 Youth Tour delegate, Carissa Hanson, shared, “The Segway tour of the National Mall was the highlight of the trip for me. This was an experience I will never forget; I encourage everyone to apply for future opportunities!” This is an outstanding opportunity for any student interested in our nation’s government and learning more about your local electric cooperative.
Please be prepared to submit the student’s name, parent’s name, email address, name of high school, a list of activities the student is involved in and an essay titled “Why I want to go to Washington, DC”. Entries must be received no later than Monday, February 23, 2026.
