Meet Your Tour Staff

Yes, we’re as excited about Youth Tour as you are!

Doug SnitgenTour Director

Doug is the Executive Vice President of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) and a seasoned traveler who’s visited 30 states and 25 countries. He’s managed student trips to Washington, D.C. and Europe. He has been Youth Tour director for Michigan since 2011.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUTH TOUR: “Students expect to see cool things on Youth Tour, but they’re always amazed by the new friendships they form.”

FAVORITE WASHINGTON, D.C. EXPERIENCE: “Visiting the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial at night — it’s one of the most peaceful places in the city.”

Kacey HengesbachCo-op Chaperone

Kacey is a Marketing Specialist at HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative and has a bit of a travel bug — she’s visited 28 states, plus Ireland and India, all in the past ten years! This will be Kacey’s first time on Youth Tour, but she’s lead youth groups at her church for four years and has visited Washington, D.C. multiple times.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUTH TOUR: “This program has been creating a unique student experience at our nation’s capital for over 50 years!”

FAVORITE WASHINGTON, D.C. EXPERIENCE: “I love all of the monuments! The city has so much history, you can never visit too many times.”

Patty ClarkCo-op Chaperone

Patty is a Community Relations Specialist at Midwest Energy & Communications. Her career and volunteer work has provided many opportunities to work with youth through safety programs, career exploration, and 4-H. This will be Patty’s second trip as a Youth Tour chaperone.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUTH TOUR: “Watching lifelong friendships develop among the students and seeing the positive impact Youth Tour has on their lives.”

FAVORITE WASHINGTON, D.C. EXPERIENCE: “I am moved by the symbolism of the many memorials, particularly the stainless steel spires of the U.S. Air Force Memorial which represent a ‘bomb burst’ maneuver.”

Linda MasonWashington, D.C. Tour Guide

Linda is a lifetime resident of Washington, D.C. and has been a professional tour guide for over 30 years. Her engaging stories of Washington’s people, places and events have brought the capital city to life for thousands of visitors. She has been working with Youth Tour since 2011.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUTH TOUR: “The students! I work with students from all over the country, but the Michigan co-op students are among the most friendly, engaged and enthusiastic.”

FAVORITE WASHINGTON, D.C. EXPERIENCE: “No matter how much I know about the city and its history, there’s always more to learn and explore.”