Each year, Union County Electric Cooperative sponsors one sophomore or junior student for an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Washington Rural Electric Youth Tour. The tour provides an opportunity for our young people to learn about the Washington, D.C. area, U.S. government, the cooperative philosophy and rural electrification. The winner is determined by an essay contest. Union County Electric selects the topic and students are invited to participate by submitting a 750 word essay on that topic. It has proven to be a great program during its nearly 20-year history. The tour is normally held during the month of June.
Union County Electric offers a bus tour of its power supply system to cooperative members during the summer months. This is an annual event that includes visits to a wind farm, a coal-powered generating station, a visit to the country's only commercial sized gasification facility and a working coalmine. The tour has been conducted since 1987 and is always a popular activity with cooperative members. Transportation, lodging and meal expenses are all provided by the tour with a member cost of just $25.00 per couple or $12.50 per person. It's a great chance for members to learn about and view their electrical system up close and have a good time with fellow cooperative members.
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This program mirrors very closely the member tour mentioned earlier with the exception that it is designed for our young people. They too will visit several power supply facilities and have some time for socializing while cruising on the Missouri River aboard a paddleboat. Expenses for the tour are handled by the cooperative with the exception of personal spending money. This tour provides an opportunity for young people to see what is involved in bringing the electric energy we depend on into their lives.