Art Klarenbeek of Hull and Jocelyn Doorenbos of Boyden recently participated in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program in Washington, D.C. sponsored by North West REC. They spent six days in Washington, D.C., with 33 peers from Iowa.

Each year in June, an action-filled week provides high school students opportunities to learn first-hand what it is like to be involved in politics, community service and today's pressing issues in the energy industry. Students met Sens. Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin as well as Reps. Bruce Braley, Leonard Boswell, Dave Loebsack, Tom Latham and Steve King. They also saw historic sites and met over 1,500 students from across the country who participated in their state's Youth Tour program.

Something new this year was the opportunity to go on an early-morning, three-mile run with Senator Grassley. Fifteen Youth Tour students, including Art Klarenbeek, joined the senator for a different view of Washington, D.C. and say it was definitely an opportunity of a lifetime.

The Iowa Electric Cooperatives' Youth Tour has been a joint effort of local electric co-ops, such as North West REC, the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC), and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

In addition to taking in the sights of the nation's capital, all the state groups convened for National Youth Day, sponsored by NRECA, to learn from public figures and other inspirational speakers. This year's Youth Day agenda included Mike Schlappi, a four-time Paralympic Medallist and two-time world Wheelchair Basketball Champion. Schlappi shares his inspiring message for every American, young or old: "Just because you can't stand up, doesn't mean you can't stand out."

Watch future newsletters to see how you can participate in the Youth Tour next year. For more information about the Iowa Electric Cooperatives' Youth Tour, please visit http://www.youthtour.coop.