Several current high school or homeschool juniors in Southside Electric Cooperative’s 18-county service territory will be chosen for this summer’s all-expenses-paid Youth Tour to Williamsburg and the surrounding area. Students’ parents or guardians do not have to receive electricity from SEC to apply.

SEC students will join about 50 other students from Virginia, Maryland and Delaware for the exciting week jam packed with fun activities. They will be accompanied by chaperones from participating electric cooperatives. The three-state delegation will see historic sites in Williamsburg, which was Virginia’s capital from 1699-1780 and played a major role in the American Revolution, and enjoy the fun of Busch Gardens. Attractions in Richmond are an hour to the west and ones in Norfolk and Virginia Beach are an hour to the east. Student delegates will learn about electric cooperatives, state government and the importance of community involvement. One of the best things will be making friends with other students.

Organizers are busy planning a full slate of activities that will keep students and chaperones busy from morning to night.

Activities will be dependent on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions related to visiting sites. Trip organizers with the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, SEC and other cooperatives are keeping a keen eye on pandemic developments. Keeping everyone safe is top priority.

To apply, students must complete the accompanying one-page application and submit a written essay of no more than 500 words explaining why they would be a good candidate to represent Southside Electric Cooperative on the Youth Tour to Williamsburg.

Applications and essays must be received at the Cooperative’s headquarters in Crewe by Friday, April 1, 2022. Students must be available for in-person or virtual interviews the week of April 11-15.

For more information, please contact SEC’s community relations coordinators Joy Stump at 434-645-3219 or joy.stump@sec.coop or Mark Thomas at 434-645-3276 or mark.thomas@sec.coop.