Each year McCook Public Power District accepts applications from area high school students to attend the NREA Youth Energy Leadership Camp. This year’s camp will be held at Camp Comeca in Cozad, NE. This camp offers educational and recreational experiences. Through workshops campers learn the legislative process, electric power generation, and careers in the rural electric program. The campers will also take a tour of NPPD’s Gerald Gentleman Power Station near North Platte and the Kingsley Hydro-Electric Generating Station at Lake McConaughy. Along with the educational experiences there will also be canoeing and sports activities, a talent show, and dancing.
Eligibility
High school students who are currently in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade and whose home and/or farm is served by McCook Public Power District are eligible.
Youth Tour
High school students who attend the energy camp have the opportunity to compete for a chance to participate as state ambassadors in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour in Washington D.C. in June of the following year. All ambassador expenses are paid by the Nebraska Rural Electric Association and through a scholarship provided by Union Bank and Trust. Three students are selected by their peers to serve as ambassadors.
The Nebraska Rural Electric Association sends students to Washington, DC, for a variety of reasons including:
- Educating students about the role of rural electric systems in the national economy;
- Fostering students’ appreciation for the democratic form of government;
- Exposing students to the sights and sounds of our nation’s heritage; and
- Building students’ leadership skills so that they may make a difference in their rural communities.
The Ambassador competition involves submitting an application at Youth Energy Leadership Camp, presenting a self-introduction speech, and delivering a five-minute speech on an assigned topic. Each camper votes for three candidates following the speech with the top male, top female and person with the next highest vote total becoming next year’s ambassadors. The top six finalists and ties are invited to return to next year’s Youth Energy Leadership Camp as junior counselors.
Anyone who has attended camp and who participates in the ambassador competition (you do not have to be the top finalists) may also have the opportunity to attend Youth Tour as a delegate of McCook Public Power District. The cost of the trip will be paid by the district.
If you would like to attend camp fill out the Youth Energy Leadership Camp form and return to MPPD no later than May 1st. For more information call Becky at 308-345-2500.