Youth Tour Delegate and Parent/Guardian,
Congratulations, Delegate, on being selected to attend the 2026 Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Youth Tour. This is the trip-of-a-lifetime and will provide the opportunity to stand where history was written, walk the halls of the U.S. Capitol, honor our fallen heroes at national monuments, and witness firsthand the enduring promise of American liberty and self-government that electric cooperatives help power every day.
Below are some important details that will help you as you prepare and pack for Youth Tour. Other details will be shared at the orientation dinner.
ARRIVAL & ORIENTATION DINNER
An orientation dinner will be held at the Wyndham Riverfront Little Rock (2 Riverfront Pl, North Little Rock, AR 72114) on Saturday, June 13. Delegates and their parent(s) or guardian(s) need to arrive between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Upon arrival, delegates will complete check-in procedures and place their luggage in their assigned rooms. The orientation dinner will commence at 5:00 p.m., and attendance is required for both delegates and their parent(s) or guardian(s). Following the dinner, at approximately 6:00 p.m. all parents and guardians will be able to depart.
Our entire group will stay overnight at the Wyndham Riverfront and will depart for Clinton National Airport early on Sunday, June 14. The group will fly to Baltimore, MD, where a dedicated tour bus and driver will be waiting for our arrival.
DAILY SCHEDULE
The daily schedule is under development and will not be finalized until the closer to Youth Tour. Rest assured that we are working hard to fill every minute of the Youth Tour with as many amazing sights and opportunities as possible.
Sunday, June 14
Flight to Baltimore, lunch and sightseeing in Baltimore, travel to D.C. and nighttime monument tour
Monday, June 15 – Thursday June 18
Sightseeing in D.C. including the National Archives, U.S. Capitol, U.S. Bureau of Engraving, a dinner cruise on the Potomac, Arlington National Cemetery and MUCH, MUCH more.
Friday, June 19
Flight to Little Rock.
TRAVEL & CLOTHING
As air travel is involved, it is essential that each delegate possess a RealID (identifiable by the star in the upper corner) and that all luggage complies with TSA and airline regulations regarding contents, size, and weight.
Upon arrival and check-in on June 13, delegates will receive five T-shirts and one polo shirt for daily wear throughout the trip.
Each day, there will be a “Shirt of the Day” and it is required that delegates wear the specified shirt for the duration of the day. Adherence to this is required and helps to identify the members of our group, especially when we are in congested areas. Remember this when packing and save room for your shirts in your luggage.
Youth Tour will require substantial walking and prolonged periods on your feet every day. Therefore, please bring only closed-toe, well-fitting, comfortable shoes. Flip-flops, Crocs, or similar footwear are not permitted. Attire should be casual and appropriate, as delegates represent their electric cooperative, home state, family, and themselves. Please exercise good judgment when selecting clothing—shorts or jeans without holes and of suitable length are required. Female delegates may also choose to wear athletic skirts or capri pants. To ensure compliance, it is advisable to exercise caution; if you suspect an item may pose an issue, refrain from bringing or wearing it.
On Monday, June 15, we will visit the U.S. Capitol and meet our congressional delegation. Delegates will wear the polo shirt that is provided and will need to wear khaki shorts or pants that day.
While you are permitted one checked bag and one personal item, please limit your luggage to what you can personally manage and transport at any given time. There will be occasions where you are responsible for relocating all of your belongings independently.
Important note about flying with batteries, portable chargers and power banks.
Each delegate is limited to one power bank which must be carried in the cabin; must not be placed in checked luggage and must not exceed 100 watt-hours. Lithium batteries and portable chargers/power banks are not allowed in checked luggage.
TSA Travel Checklist – https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/travel-checklist
Don’t forget these items:
- RealID (Keep this with you at ALL times)
- Clothes (Save room in your luggage for the 6 shirts you will be provided)
- Comfortable Shoes (Only closed-toe, well-fitting, comfortable shoes – no flipflops or croc-style shoes)
- A light jacket (just in case of rain or if you find the airplane, bus or museums to be cold)
- Phone and charger
- Khaki shorts or pants for the day we visit the U.S. Capitol and meet with our congressional delegation
- Pack any prescription medications in your personal bag or backpack.
Do NOT bring these items:
- Alcohol, Illegal drugs, or unauthorized prescriptions drugs (prescriptions not specifically written for you)
- Tobacco products including vapes and e-cigarettes
- Weapons, self-defense items, or anything resembling them
- Explosives, flammables, or pressurized items
- Expensive jewelry, watches or valuables
HOTEL ROOMS
Our entire group will be staying at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center located near National Harbor, MD. Room assignments will be randomly assigned with no more than two delegates (same gender) per room. These assignments will begin on our first night at the Wyndham Riverfront Little Rock and stay the same for the duration of Youth Tour.
MEALS
During the trip, delegates will be responsible for purchasing their own meals on approximately 10 occasions. Each delegate will receive a prepaid $250 card to cover these expenses, equating to roughly $25 per meal. While this amount should suffice for meal costs, delegates who wish to purchase additional beverages, snacks, or souvenirs are advised to bring supplementary funds.
CELL PHONES
Delegates are encouraged to bring their cell phones on Youth Tour. Although most activities will be conducted as a group, there will be occasions when delegates may explore designated areas in smaller groups.
While electronic devices provide many benefits, they can also present significant distractions. We request that delegates remain engaged and minimize unnecessary communications and activities (music, games, social media) during Youth Tour. Phones may not be used during active tours, except for permitted photography. It is recommended that families and friends are informed of the delegate’s travel from June 13–19 to reduce communication outside of our group to a minimum throughout the trip.
NOTE: Headphones or earbuds can be brought on Youth Tour but are ONLY allowed to be used while in-flight and must be left in hotel room at ALL other times.
All Youth Tour delegates need to install the BAND app https://www.band.us/en) on their phone and create an account using their phone number. Make sure to enable notifications and create your bio including an appropriate headshot and short description (Name & Hometown). This app will be used for group and small group announcements, messaging, scheduling, and photo sharing. Access to our private Youth Tour “band” will be given at the orientation dinner.
The BAND app will only be used by students and chaperones. Parent/Guardians that would like to follow our trip can do so at https://www.facebook.com/ARKElectricYouthTour.
CHAPERONES
We will have eight chaperones on Youth Tour. Delegates will be assigned to a small group led by one chaperone. Delegates will need to communicate with, report any concerns and follow instructions from their assigned chaperone. Emergency contact information will be shared with everyone attending the orientation dinner on June 13.
TIMELINESS
Being on time is critical when participating in group travel. Adhering to scheduled times ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for all members of the trip.
Think about it like this: We’re not traveling as 56 separate individuals. We’re one team. When one person is late, the whole team gets held up. That means:
- The bus can’t leave on time.
- We miss our reservation at the activity or restaurant.
- We risk missing a flight (and trust me, airports do NOT wait for anyone).
- Everyone else ends up sitting around waiting instead of having fun.
Being on time is not optional, it is required all day, every day on Youth Tour.
FIRST AID / MEDICAL
Any delegate needing first-aid or medical attention should notify a chaperone immediately. A nurse’s station is available on-site at the Hotel/Convention Center. Delegates with prescribed medication should bring an adequate supply for the week.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Any costs related to the dismissal and early return of a delegate, including, but not limited to, transportation costs, shall be borne exclusively by the dismissed delegate’s parents/legal guardians.
RETURNING HOME
We are schedule to return to Clinton National Airport on Friday, June 19 at 9:15 a.m., after a short layover in Nashville, TN. We encourage delegates to notify their designated parent or guardian of any travel delays while in Nashville. Upon arrival, parents or guardians picking up delegates must present ID for staff verification before release. Any changes to pick-up arrangements must be made by the parent/guardian while attending the orientation dinner.
AND FINALLY….
We also want to remind each Youth Tour delegate of the generous investment your local electric cooperative is making in you. By sponsoring your participation in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, they are investing in your future leadership and in the next generation of engaged citizens. We encourage you to make the most of every moment—immerse yourself in the rich history, meaningful experiences, and inspiring sites you will encounter. Take full advantage of this opportunity to build new friendships and lasting relationships with fellow delegates. The memories you create and the connections you form will stay with you long after the trip ends.
We can’t wait to see you on June 13!