The 2021 Youth Camp has been cancelled.
Application
Each summer, Morgan County REA sends youth representatives to Clark, Colorado (near Steamboat Springs) for Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp. Students nearly always ask if they can return to the camp the following year, describing it as a "blast!" They often are impressed with how well students get along, and how traditional high school cliches seem to melt away.
Educationally, participants are stimulated by the challenge of running a simulated co-op. From the time they arrive, they are busy electing a board of directors, general manager and several committees. Every student is required to somehow be involved in the workings of the co-op and all profits the co-op makes (i.e., concession stand), are redistributed to the members as "capital credits" at the end of camp. Although participants have busy days, with a lot of work running their cooperative, they are rewarded with activities including a volleyball tournament and BBQ, a pool party, dance, gondola ride to Mount Werner and Steamboat Village, trip to Fish Creek Falls and tours of Trapper Mine and Craig Power Plant.
Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp Guidelines
All expenses, including transportation, lodging, meals and all admission fees are paid by Morgan County REA. Students must be 16 years of age at the time of camp; must currently be sophomores or juniors; reside within the boundaries of MCREA's service territory; and their parents/grandparents must receive electric service from MCREA. Selection is based on an application, essay and interview. Generally speaking, one applicant will be sent to Washington D.C. Youth Tour, and up to two other applicant(s) are sent to the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp.
The Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp is designed to provide a better understanding of cooperatives, energy prices and legislative processes. Over 100 students from Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma travel to Glen Eden Resort, just 18 miles north of Steamboat Springs, every year for the camp.