Students of Corn Belt Energy Cooperative and Corn Belt Energy employees are eligible to attend the Youth Day in Springfield, IL, and the Youth to Washington Tour! Up to eight students will be selected to attend Youth Day in Springfield. In addition, up to two students will be chosen to represent Corn Belt Energy by attending an all-expense paid, week-long trip to Washington D.C., with other winners from across the nation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see our government at work and tour national sites, monuments, and museums. To be eligible, the student(s) must currently be a high school sophomore, junior or senior and be able to attend the trip to Washington D.C. in June, if selected.
Students must reside in a home served by Corn Belt Energy. (Home School students may participate as well!)
YOUTH DAY - March 20th, 2024, Wyndham Springfield City Centre, Springfield, IL
For over 60 years, the electric and telephone cooperatives of Illinois have given tomorrow’s leaders the opportunity to gain experience from today’s public officials. Each year, over three hundred outstanding students get an up close and firsthand look at democracy in action when they meet their elected representatives during Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day. Over the years, thousands of students have learned how government works and why it’s important for every citizen to get involved in it. State senators and representatives have the opportunity to inspire and encourage the leaders of tomorrow during this annual event, held in Springfield.
Click here for application
Application deadline- February 2, 2024
YOUTH TOUR - June 14th to 21st, 2024 - Washington D.C.
The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has brought high school students to Washington, D.C. for a week in June every year since the late 1950s. Students apply and are selected for this program by their local electric cooperative. We believe that students should see their nation’s capital up close, learn about the political process and interact with their elected officials.
Students gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as a citizen by meeting their Representative and Senators. While student groups are organized at the state level, they all come together for Youth Day, where they get to meet each other and hear featured speakers who provide insight to the important roles electric cooperatives play in their communities.
For more information, please contact Megan Marlowe, Manager of Communications & Public Image at 309-664-9250.
Learn more about Illinois Cooperative Youth Day
Learn more about the Youth to Washington Tour