Youth Tour
One Week, a Lifetime Impact
By Stephanie M. Okuniewski
Member Engagement Specialist
To an outsider looking in, Youth Tour is simply a weeklong journey to Washington, D.C., for the teens representing America’s electric cooperatives.
However, for those who have experienced it firsthand, Youth Tour is so much more. Many say it changed the trajectory of their lives.
“I owe my whole career to my Youth Tour experience,” says Sarah Hohman, a 2016 delegate who represented Mansfield-based Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative (REC). “It sparked a love of policy and politics that I’ve followed ever since.”
Kirk Shoemaker, a 2005 participant from Adams Electric Cooperative, says the trip had a similar impact on him.
“At that age, I never expected to meet state and national leaders in our nation’s capital,” he says. “The discussions, exposure, and increased awareness of policy, strategy, and local and national issues shaped my perspective and eventual path as a public servant.
“I believe that the seed of service was cultivated by my Youth Tour experience.”
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) joins 2026 Youth Tour students on the capitol steps during a weeklong tour of Washington, D.C.
Opening eyes and doors
Each June, high school juniors representing electric cooperatives across the country — this year, there were nearly 1,800 — venture to the nation’s capital to learn about the cooperative business model, tour monuments, memorials, and museums, and learn more about themselves in one week than they ever thought possible.
“I never thought I’d be able to spend a week in Washington, D.C., with kids my own age from all across the U.S., experiencing the history and the impact our federal government has on our lives and on those who have helped shape who we are today,” says Doug Glessner, a 1982 Somerset REC delegate.
In 2026, attendees included 88 teens from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which have sent more than 4,400 students on Youth Tour since it began in 1964. The event is hosted by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), which represents more than 900 local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives in the United States.
Famous alumni include former Apple CEO Tim Cook, authors, athletes and politicians. Among the Pa./N.J. ranks, there are cooperative board members, a cooperative chief executive, many co-op employees, countless advocates for rural America and cooperative supporters.
Shoemaker says the trip exposed him to a fascinating new world, one he wanted to be a part of.
“I felt the energy of D.C. — there seemed to be a palpable hum and crackle of electricity in the air. Important decisions were being made, every day, every hour — and many of those decisions affect people in rural America where I grew up, my family, friends, and neighbors,” he says.
THEN AND NOW: Doug Glessner, left, retired from Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative in 2024 as manager of outside operations. In 1982, Glessner, above, standing at left, and his fellow Youth Tour students had the privilege of gathering with President Ronald Reagan on the White House lawn. Photo courtesy of Somerset REC
“Now that I have been in and around D.C. for many years, I am more accustomed to this energy — but for someone from a rural, small town, my initial visit with Youth Tour made a lasting impression.”
For some students, the trip marks their first visit to our nation’s capital. There, they get the chance to witness and experience things they’ve only seen in textbooks and movies. Alumni say the experience opened their eyes — and doors, too.
“While I loved how many opportunities I saw in the city, [it] also reminded me of the strengths of my rural community: the way people look out for each other, the values it teaches and the benefit of knowing everyone you pass,” says Hohman, who now serves as director of government affairs for the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. In that role, she leads the legislative and regulatory efforts for the 5,700 rural health clinics across the country.
“Youth Tour,” she adds, “encouraged me to pursue internship opportunities at my local cooperative, NRECA, the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health … and all the way to my current role.”
While Youth Tour ushers some students into public service and federal careers, others find themselves accepting roles at one of Pennsylvania’s rural electric cooperatives.
“In 1983, I ended up coming back to the cooperative as a summer employee on the right-of-way crew before attending college in the fall,” Glessner says. “That led to a lifelong career with the cooperative, working my way up through the ranks — starting on the right-of-way crew, then onto the metering department, and finally as the manager of outside operations until my retirement in February 2024.”
A LASTING IMPRESSION: Kirk Shoemaker was one of the 2005 Youth Tour participants, who are shown above. The trip, he says, provided him with new perspectives and led him to a career in public service.
Advoacy and family
Beyond influencing their career choices, alumni say Youth Tour introduced them to new people and perspectives and helped shape their view of the world.
“Youth Tour opened my mind and imagination,” Shoemaker says. “I will never forget how proud my parents, siblings, friends, and neighbors were of me. Do you know how awesome it is to experience all that trust, confidence and pride from a small, rural community? It’s incredibly important for a young person — it reinforces the idea that even people from rural areas can help improve their local and national policies.”
Each trip, students visit Capitol Hill, and if schedules allow, they meet with and often ask questions of sitting legislators. In 2026, students spent time with U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) along with staffers representing U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) and several other lawmakers. In 1982, teens came face to face with a president.
“We not only got to tour the White House,” Glessner says, “but we were also fortunate enough to have President Ronald Reagan address the whole Youth Tour group on the front lawn of the White House.”
This up-close-and-personal look at government in action encouraged Nick Isenberg, a 1995 Youth Tour student from Valley REC, to explore one of his passions.
“I like advocating for a cause,” says Isenberg, an agriculture science instructor at Milton Hershey School, “whether it’s rural electric cooperatives, or now, ag education. Youth Tour gave me the tools to take a passion and advocate for it.”
THEN AND NOW: Sarah Hohman, right, oversees government affairs for the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. In 2016, Hohman, third from left, was a Youth Tour student sightseeing around Washington, D.C., where the seeds were sown for her career in rural advocacy. Photo courtesy of Sarah Hohman
For Glessner and many others, Youth Tour has also become a family experience. In fact, it’s not unusual for several generations of a family to go through the program.
“All three of our sons as well as one of our daughters-in-law were also fortunate enough to participate as Youth Tour delegates,” he says. “It is a very special experience, and I would highly encourage anyone who can to take advantage of this opportunity.”
'More to life'
2026 marked my 20th year participating in Youth Tour and fifth year as the Pennsylvania/New Jersey director. Besides being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most students, Youth Tour is a place where teens are encouraged to find their voices, step outside their comfort zone, try new things and go back to their hometowns knowing they can make a difference.
Every year, I see that shift in delegates, and it is truly remarkable to witness. With Youth Tour, it is not always about the places you visit, but the people you meet along the way.
“Youth Tour gave me an opportunity to explore the country outside the small town I grew up in,” Isenberg says. “There is more to life than the land you grew up on. Everyone needs to go explore and see what makes this country great.”
“I genuinely believe the world would be a better place if all students had the opportunity to experience a trip as impactful as Youth Tour,” Hohman adds. “There is something so uniquely powerful for a student to have your future believed in and championed.”
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To learn more about participating in the 2027 Youth Tour, call your local electric cooperative, visit its website and look for updates in Penn Lines.
