The Washington Youth Tour, sponsored nationally by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and statewide by Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (GEMC), is a jam-packed backstage pass to Washington, D.C. It offers rising high school seniors, students currently juniors, an unforgettable leadership experience in our nation’s capital. The tour is free to participants!
Since 1965, the Washington Youth Tour has given 1,650 students in Georgia and more than 40,000 students nationwide the opportunity to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The program was initially implemented at the request of President Lyndon Johnson to “send youngsters to the nation’s capital where they can see what the flag stands for and represents.” Habersham EMC will sponsor 3 young people from our area to attend the all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 12 to 19, 2026, but you have to enter. Learn more about the Georgia EMC Washington Youth Tour YouTube video.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school junior at least 16 years of age, but no older than 18.
- The primary residence of the parent or guardian must be in the Habersham EMC service area (Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, and White counties).
- Parent, grandparent, or guardian of the applicant can neither be employed by nor serve as a director of Habersham EMC. Interested children and grandchildren of HEMC directors and employees are eligible to enter the statewide contest and should email for an application.
2026 applications are now closed.
Application process:
- Students must submit a completed entry form to Habersham EMC by January 30, 2026.
- Applicants will then be asked to attend an in-person interview on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the HEMC headquarters in Clarkesville.
- Two winners will be chosen and notified in late February.