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logo                      YT_logo

2026 YOUTH TOUR GUIDELINES

Deadline to submit applications and supporting materials is 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.

 

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Must be classified as a high school sophomore or junior as of February 1, 2026, and not eligible for a high school diploma before May/June 2027.
  2. Must reside in a home served by Firelands Electric Cooperative.
  3. Must be willing to submit a health and medical authorization form, along with a parental permission form, if declared a winner.
  4. If selected as a delegate, must be willing to follow any and all safety protocols in place at the time of the trip, including, but not limited to, those implemented by Washington, D.C.; the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA); and/or Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives.
  5. Members of the immediate families and persons residing in the households of trustees, managers, or employees of Firelands Electric Cooperative, Inc. or Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives and its affiliates are not eligible to apply.

II.         SELECTION PROCEDURES:

  1. Youth Tour winners are selected by evaluation of the information included on the application. NO MINIMUM GPA REQUIRED TO APPLY. All 2026 application materials will be submitted via an online portal at www.firelandsec.com/youth-tour-experience.

    Applications must be completed and all materials submitted via Firelands Electric’s online portal before 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
     
  2. Candidates will be evaluated on the following:
     
    • Personal Achievement and School & Community Activities
    • Demonstrated Leadership (activities, offices held, etc.)
    • Letter of Recommendation from a school counselor, principal, teacher, or organization advisor
       
  3. Up to two delegates will be selected to represent Firelands Electric Cooperative on the Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 14-20, 2026. Two runners-up may also be selected and will be offered the opportunity to go participate in the tour if the initial delegate(s) cannot go. More information on this all-expenses-paid trip can be found at www.firelandsec.com/youth-tour-experience or www.electric.coop. (Search for “Youth Tour” to find helpful links.)
    ​​​​​​​
  4. During the Youth Tour, the delegate(s) representing Firelands Electric Cooperative are strongly encouraged to also seek election to represent Ohio on the NRECA Youth Leadership Council (YLC). Well-qualified, well-prepared delegates who are friendly, outgoing, and positive have an excellent chance of being selected by their fellow students for this additional honor. Only one representative from each state is elected to the council each year. Additional information regarding YLC is available on NRECA’s website at https://bit.ly/3C1S4El.

 

QUESTIONS?

Contact Firelands Electric Cooperative’s Scholarship Coordinator Tracy Gibb at  members@firelandsec.com or by calling 1-800-533-8658

 

​

 

logo                      YT_logo

2026 YOUTH TOUR GUIDELINES

Deadline to submit applications and supporting materials is 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.

 

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Must be classified as a high school sophomore or junior as of February 1, 2026, and not eligible for a high school diploma before May/June 2027.
  2. Must reside in a home served by Firelands Electric Cooperative.
  3. Must be willing to submit a health and medical authorization form, along with a parental permission form, if declared a winner.
  4. If selected as a delegate, must be willing to follow any and all safety protocols in place at the time of the trip, including, but not limited to, those implemented by Washington, D.C.; the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA); and/or Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives.
  5. Members of the immediate families and persons residing in the households of trustees, managers, or employees of Firelands Electric Cooperative, Inc. or Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives and its affiliates are not eligible to apply.

II.         SELECTION PROCEDURES:

  1. Youth Tour winners are selected by evaluation of the information included on the application. NO MINIMUM GPA REQUIRED TO APPLY. All 2026 application materials will be submitted via an online portal at www.firelandsec.com/youth-tour-experience.

    Applications must be completed and all materials submitted via Firelands Electric’s online portal before 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
     
  2. Candidates will be evaluated on the following:
     
    • Personal Achievement and School & Community Activities
    • Demonstrated Leadership (activities, offices held, etc.)
    • Letter of Recommendation from a school counselor, principal, teacher, or organization advisor
       
  3. Up to two delegates will be selected to represent Firelands Electric Cooperative on the Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 14-20, 2026. Two runners-up may also be selected and will be offered the opportunity to go participate in the tour if the initial delegate(s) cannot go. More information on this all-expenses-paid trip can be found at www.firelandsec.com/youth-tour-experience or www.electric.coop. (Search for “Youth Tour” to find helpful links.)
    ​​​​​​​
  4. During the Youth Tour, the delegate(s) representing Firelands Electric Cooperative are strongly encouraged to also seek election to represent Ohio on the NRECA Youth Leadership Council (YLC). Well-qualified, well-prepared delegates who are friendly, outgoing, and positive have an excellent chance of being selected by their fellow students for this additional honor. Only one representative from each state is elected to the council each year. Additional information regarding YLC is available on NRECA’s website at https://bit.ly/3C1S4El.

 

QUESTIONS?

Contact Firelands Electric Cooperative’s Scholarship Coordinator Tracy Gibb at  members@firelandsec.com or by calling 1-800-533-8658