Youth Programs

The Washington Youth Tour:

The Washington Youth Tour is a leadership opportunity and educational experience like no other. Sponsored by local electric cooperatives like Southern Rivers Energy, this trip is awarded to exceptional high school juniors who compete for a chance to tour Washington, D.C. along with more than 100 other teens from across the state and more than 1400 teens from across the country!

Highlights include visits to:

  • The Little White House in Warm Springs, GA 
  • Mt. Vernon
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • Smithsonian Institution Museums
  • Lincoln, FDR and Jefferson memorials
  • Holocaust Museum
  • World War II, Korean and Vietnam Memorials

The contest consists of a written test comprised of 50 multiple choice, True-False, fill in the blank and essay questions covering topics such as the history of rural electrification, Southern Rivers Energy, the basics of how electricity works, electrical safety, and the cooperative business model.

Students are given a study packet of material two weeks before the contest and the highest scoring individuals on the written test go on to participate in an interview where the winners are then chosen based on poise, leadership qualities, school activities, community service and knowledge of material.

If you are interested in applying for or learning more about the Washington Youth Tour, contact Erin Cook, by phone at 770-358-1383 ext. 332 or toll free at 877-358-1383.  

2013 Washington Youth Tour Contest Schedule
Apply Now for the 2013 Tour! for the 2013 Tour!

  • Application and information packets available from Southern Rivers Energy Dec. 1- Feb. 11
  • Application deadline: Feb. 11, 2013
  • Study packets issued the week of Feb. 18, 2013
  • Test given at SRE office - Mar. 5 at 4 PM 
  • Interviews at SRE office (top 5 test scores) - Mar. 12 
  • 2013 Washington Youth Tour June 13-20, 2013

Pictured from Left: Anna Heape and Madison Robey, both students at Pike County High School, represented SRE on the 2012 tour.  

EMC/FFA Electrification Career Development Event:

The EMC/FFA Wiring Contest is a program of the Agricultural Education program of the Georgia Department of Education - organized as a Career Development Event through local FFA chapters and sponsored by the Electric Membership Corporations of Georgia. Participants can win scholarship funds to use at any college, university or vocational school in Georgia.

The contest is designed to reinforce the electrical wiring being taught in the vocational agriculture education program, and to provide high school students the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about electric energy. Students also learn more about the EMCs expanding role in meeting Georgia's electrical energy needs.

The contest is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Prizes are awarded for contest winners at district and state levels, including scholarships. To learn more about the EMC/FFA Electrification Career Development Event, please contact Southern Rivers Energy at 770-358-1383 or toll free 877-358-1383 for more information or ask your local high school's FFA Advisor.

Cooperative Youth Conference:

Each year Southern Rivers Energy selects a student to attend the Georgia Cooperative Council's Youth Leadership Conference, a week-long event held each July at the FFA Camp in Covington. Participants develop leadership skills while learning about the role of cooperatives. All conference fees for participating youth are covered by Southern Rivers Energy.

Through team-building exercises, personality assessments and an in-depth look into the cooperatives, the conference provides leadership training for participants, explores the cooperative way of doing business and heightens awareness of cooperatives in Georgia. Participants also have the opportunity to enjoy horseback riding, canoeing and swimming.

For further information about the Youth Leadership Conference, please contact Erin Cook, Southern Rivers Energy's Communications Specialist, at 770-358-1383 ext. 332.