Youth Leadership
Attention High School Sophomores!
BE PART OF AN AWARD-WINNING YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
July 14-17, 2026
2026 CYCLE Leadership Contest
This contest is open to any high school sophomore who attends a high school in the Boone Electric Cooperative service area. Home-schooled students are also eligible to apply if they reside within Boone Electric’s geographical service area. Children of BEC Directors are not eligible to enter.
CYCLE ApplicationAbout CYCLE
CYCLE brings in some of the brightest young leaders from across Missouri. The focus is to show students more about electric cooperatives, teach leadership skills and experience Missouri state government. The program includes nationally known speakers and a day at the state Capitol. There is also time for some fun things like an outdoor barbeque and a hypnosis game. The group is also divided up into smaller teams that compete in various events like the “build a cooperative” game.
Attention High School Juniors!
RURAL ELECTRIC YOUTH TOUR – A TRIP OF A LIFETIME
June 14-20, 2026
2026 Youth Tour Scholarship Competition
This contest is open to any high school junior who attends a high school in the Boone Electric Cooperative service area. Home-schooled students are also eligible to apply if they reside within the Boone Electric Cooperative service area. Children of BEC Directors are not eligible to enter.
Youth Tour ApplicationWhat is Youth Tour?
More than 90 Missouri high school juniors join 1,500 students from 44 other states on the trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C., every summer. Students attend a premiere youth leadership conference sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Highlights of the conference include breakout sessions on youth leadership, discussions on community issues and solutions, and motivational speeches by today’s recognized leaders. You have the chance to meet your senators and representatives, too!
The Cool Places Youth Tour Delegates See
National Historic Memorials: A few include the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam War Memorial.
Houses of Government: U.S. Capitol, Congress Chambers, Supreme Court, Library of Congress and the National Archives.
Favorite Area Landmarks: Mount Vernon, Smithsonian Institute, Ford’s Theatre and the National Cathedral.
History of the Rural Electric Youth Tour