Planning Guide

Youth Tour draws more than 1,800 students from across the country. If selected, you’ll be among approximately 20 students representing Michigan that will travel together and experience Youth Tour as a group. You are selected and sponsored by your local electric cooperative; the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) coordinates the event for all of the Michigan co-ops; and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) hosts the event in Washington, D.C. While on Youth Tour, all transportation, meals, admissions to events, and lodging will be arranged for you.

You’ll need clothing for four or five days. Plan for warm weather (Washington, D.C. is typically 80-90 degrees and humid during the day) but remember that we have a dress code:

PACK COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES! We do a tremendous amount of walking every day on Youth Tour. To avoid blisters, don’t wear a new pair of shoes or sandals for the first time on this trip! Flip-flops are not acceptable to wear while touring (only during leisure time at the hotel).

• A small backpack or drawstring bag that you can use to carry some daily essentials while touring the sites
• Jacket or sweatshirt (days are typically hot and humid, but evenings can be cool)
• Toiletries (travel sizes save space!)
• Pajamas, underwear and extra socks
• Snacks and/or gum for the bus trip
• Books or magazines to read on the bus
• Headphones/earbuds if you plan to listen to music on travel days
• Pocket-size Kleenex
• Small, folding umbrella or packable rain jacket
• Bag for dirty laundry
• Camera (plus batteries/charger and extra memory card)
• Phone charger
• Consider labeling valuable items (phone, mobile devices, camera, chargers, etc.) as your room mates are likely to have similar items!
• Hair dryer and iron are furnished in each hotel room

You are allowed one suitcase/duffel and one small carry-on (such as a backpack), in addition to a purse:

• SUITCASE cannot weigh more than 50 lbs. and must not be greater than 62 linear inches (length + width + height). Be sure to leave room/weight for any items you may purchase while on Youth Tour!
• CARRY-ON BAG(S) must be able to fit in an overhead compartment or under a seat.

Aairport security strictly enforces carry-on regulations (learn more at www.tsa.gov). Anything that isn’t allowed in your carry-on will be taken by airport security and not returned. For simplicity, we recommend absolutely no liquids in your carry-on bags (pack them in your suitcase).

• We’ll travel by airline and private motor coach. Minors traveling on our group airline ticket are NOT required to present personal identification, however, if you are 16 years old and have a drivers license, please plan to bring it with you.
• You’re responsible for your own transportation arrangements to and from the airport. Students are not allowed to drive themselves to/from Youth Tour for insurance and liability reasons. You may wish to arrange carpooling with other Youth Tour participants, or contact your co-op representative for assistance.
• You will receive more detailed travel information by email.

The weather in Washington, D.C. is typically 80-90 degrees and humid during Youth Tour. It’s important to dress for the weather and drink plenty of water, which will be available on the tour bus.

Nurses are on duty at the hotel, and a doctor is on-call. If you become ill or injured, alert a chaperone immediately so you can get proper medical attention.

Youth Tour expenses (including travel, lodging and meals) are paid for by your co-op. However, if you plan to buy snacks, drinks or souvenirs, you’ll need to bring some spending money. Keep in mind that Washington, D.C. can be expensive. In the past, students have spent about $4 to $6 a day on drinks and miscellaneous. Souvenir t-shirts cost about $10 to $20 and sweatshirts, about $30. You may need about $75 to $100 for spending money, but if you don’t plan to buy souvenirs, and three generous meals a day are enough for you, you won’t need that much, if any.

You may bring phones and/or mobile devices, but you’ll be asked to keep use to a minimum while touring (which is most of the time!). Part of the Youth Tour experience is meeting others, and use of these items can separate you from the group and inhibit participation.