2025 Youth Program Application

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About Our Youth Programs
FreeState Electric Cooperative invests in our youth with opportunities that are designed to reflect the realities of our society and its preference for dynamic, personal interactions. In today's professional world, employers and thought leaders want to see presenters who make a connection with the audience while communicating a message. These experiences are all-expenses-paid and will truly be opportunities of a lifetime for the winners.  

Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington D.C. is June 14-20, 2025.

Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs, CO is July 11-17, 2025.
Eligibility
Any high school junior whose parents or guardians are FreeState Electric Cooperative members and live in the service territory, is eligible to apply for these all-expense paid opportunities. 
Personal Information



name@domain.com


Parent or Guardian Information



Brief Bio
Please provide us with a brief bio of yourself. This is where you can tell us where you go to school, and about your hobbies and interests. This should be about 250 to 300 words that you would use if we asked you to "tell us about yourself." 

Your biography should not exceed 300 words. 

Photo
Please provide us with a photo of yourself. You can upload a photo directly. If you need assistance with getting a photo, please contact our office. 

Your Activities
In this section, tell us about yourself! What do you like to do or what are you involved in during the school year.  



Questions and Answers
These questions are to gain more insight about you and your leadership abilities. We want to know more about you, and how you would represent your cooperative if you were selected. 






Your Essay

Application Essay

Essay Guidelines

Follow these guidelines when submitting your essay.

  1. Submit an essay of at least 500 words, but not exceeding 1500.
  2. Work should be original and unpublished. 
  3. Use of artificial intelligence should be limited. 
  4. Do not put your name on your essay.
Essay Topic
The role of mentoring in developing future leaders is so important. Write an essay about someone you look up to, or who exemplifies what it means to be a mentor or leader in your community. 

Deadline is 5:30 p.m. Friday, February 14, 2025.

 

Good luck with writing your essay, and we hope to see you in person for the interview process!

Artificial Intelligence

The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.) is permitted for the following activities:

  • Brainstorming and refining your ideas;
  • Fine tuning your research questions;
  • Finding information on your topic;
  • Drafting an outline to organize your thoughts;
  • Checking grammar and style.

The use of generative AI tools is not permitted for the following activities:

  • Using the tool to compose content.
  • Writing a draft of the essay.
  • Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or essays.
  • You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). 

Your use of AI tools must be properly documented and cited. Any essay that is found to have used generative AI tools in unauthorized ways will be disqualified.


Pro tip: If you don't think it's ethical or right, it probably isn't. 


Essay Submission or Upload

Code of Conduct

Healthy and supportive learning atmospheres require respect of the individual rights and safety of all participants. Please be aware that any breach of these guidelines may lead to removal from the program and/or require the participant to return home at the expense of the participant, their family, or their sponsoring co-op. 


LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOR

  • Respect and Courtesy: Rudeness, discourtesy, or disrespect towards authority figures will not be tolerated.
  • Safety and Behavior: Fighting, threats of physical harm, or excessive displays of affection are grounds for immediate removal from camp.
  • Language: Disrespectful or abusive language, including profanity, racial slurs, or putdowns, are strictly prohibited.
  • Device Policy: Cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted during camp activities but may be used during designated free time.
  • Cancellation Policy: Students who cancel their participation less than 60 days before the trip, or who do not attend without prior notice, may be charged the full cost of the trip if an alternate cannot be found.
  • Substance Use: The use of alcoholic beverages, smoking/vaping, or illegal drugs are strictly forbidden.
  • Attendance: All students and ambassadors are required to attend all camp sessions. If you are unable to attend due to illness, please inform your chaperone and/or the Youth Tour Director.
  • Quiet Hours: Participants must observe quiet time after 10 p.m. and be in their assigned rooms by the designated curfew as outlined in the daily agenda.

HOTEL ROOMS

  • Respect Your Roommate(s): Work to get along with your roommate(s) and be mindful of their need for rest. Refrain from using your electronics or causing disruptions during quiet hours.
  • Maintain Cleanliness: Keep your room neat, clean, and organized. Remember to pick up after yourself.
  • Room Assignments: Students must seek permission from the Youth Tour Director to change rooms. Please note that room changes will only be approved for health or safety reasons, or if there have been cancellations.
  • Privacy and Respect: For everyone’s comfort and safety, students are not permitted to enter rooms assigned to the opposite sex.

 HOTEL FACILITIES

  • Restricted Areas: Certain areas of the hotel will be off limits to student delegates, such as the hotel swimming pool and fitness facilities. For those students wishing to visit the Youth Tour store or game room, or those needing to go to the lobby to rekey their rooms, must be escorted by a chaperone.
  • Property Respect: Destruction of property is strictly prohibited. Any damage beyond normal wear and tear will be charged to the responsible student(s).
  • Guest Policy: Students must obtain prior approval from the Youth Tour Director before inviting any guests to tour facilities or activities.
  • Leaving: Students are not permitted to leave the hotel or any part of the tour without prior approval from the Youth Tour Director.

TRANSPORTATION

  • Motion Sickness: If you are prone to motion sickness, please inform your chaperone. It is your responsibility to bring any necessary medications to help manage your symptoms.
  • Transportation Policy: All students must return home using the same mode of transportation they arrived with, unless prior written approval is obtained from both a parent or guardian and the Youth Tour Director.

CLOTHING

  • Dress Code: All clothing must be appropriate and in good taste. Prohibited items include cropped tops, short shorts, short skirts, or excessively tight-fitting clothing.
  • Shirts and Shoes: Participants are required to wear shirts and shoes at all times.
  • Prohibited Apparel: Clothing displaying profanity, promoting political or gang affiliation, or featuring products or slogans related to tobacco, alcohol, or drugs is not allowed.
  • Name Badges: Name badges must be worn during all activities and tours, unless otherwise instructed by the chaperones or Youth Tour Director.
  • Weapons Policy: No weapons, including knives or firearms, are permitted on Youth Tour. 

CONSEQUENCES FOR RULE VIOLATIONS

If a student fails to adhere to these rules, a chaperone will address the behavior directly with the student to clarify the expectations and may assign an appropriate consequence. 


The Youth Tour Director reserves the right to determine if an infraction, or repeated infractions, warrants removal from the trip. In such cases, the student’s family and/or sponsoring cooperative will be contacted to arrange for the student’s immediate return at the family’s personal expense. 


Additional consequences may include notifying local law enforcement or assessing damages and repair costs in the event of property destruction. Families and sponsoring cooperatives will be informed of any actions taken.

Acknowledgement

You're almost ready to submit your application! 

Application Rules and Acknoweldgements

Eligibility

  • A high school student enrolled in his/her 11th year (junior) whose parent(s) or guardian(s) receive electric service from FreeState Electric Cooperative, Inc., and reside in the FreeState service territory.
  • Students need to submit an application. The application consists of a completed application and an essay that FreeState Electric Cooperative will receive by 5:30 p.m. Friday, February 14, 2025. 


Selection

  • The top-five finalists in the written portion of the competition will be invited to an interview with the youth program coordinator.
  • Following the interviews, we will name two winners who will receive all-expense-paid trips.
  • One student will have an opportunity to attend the Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.
  • One student will experience Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp in Steamboat Springs, CO. 
  • The third-place finisher will be named an alternate for either trip. The alternate would be asked to step in if another student could not attend their trip.
  • Essays will be reviewed and scored anonymously. 
  • All applicants will be scored if submitted on time.
  • Applicants not scoring in the top-five will be notified.
  • All decisions are final.

 

Scholarship Awards
  • Students that attend the youth program they were assigned to will be granted a one-time $1,000 scholarship to be paid in 2026 (their senior year). 
  • FreeState will award one (1) $1,000 scholarships to the winning students during their senior year (2026) pursuing a traditional college path, or a trade/technical school education. 
  • Students will be required to complete a scholarship allocation form to have funds allocated to their higher education institution. 
  • Please note that scholarships are not guaranteed if an award winner does not meet eligibility requirements.
Parent Participation
Parent knowledge of your application is important. Please indicate your parent involvement in this process. 

Signature and Submit