South Dakota’s electric cooperatives are sending 34 student delegates from their respective service territories to represent South Dakota at the Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. this June. 

The trip begins Sunday, June 14, with an orientation at Sioux Valley Energy’s Brandon office before students board the bus to Minneapolis where they will fly out early Monday morning. 

During their week in Washington, students will visit historic sites and memorials, learn about their national heritage and role in democracy, connect with other co-op students from around the country, and strengthen their connection to their local co-op. 

South Dakota’s Youth Tour group will also meet with Sen. Mike Rounds and Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the U.S. Capitol. 

Past Youth Tour delegates know one of the most fun experiences on the trip is trading and collecting state pins from the other 1,000+ students in attendance. The art on this year’s South Dakota pin was drawn by Moreau-Grand Electric’s 2025 Youth Tour delegate, Artorreus Waloke of Cherry Creek. 

South Dakota’s Youth Tour is directed by SDREA. This year, Bon Homme Yankton Electric General Manager Stephanie Horst and her daughter, Autumn Glanzer, and Rosebud Electric Director of Finance Travis Harford and IT/Meter Specialist Gaige Odenbach will chaperone the tour.