YOUTH ENERGY CAMP

Each year, Niobrara Valley Electric accepts applications from area high school students to attend the Nebraska Rural Electric Association’s Youth Energy Leadership Camp at Camp Comeca near Cozad, NE. We typically send three young people to camp each year, all expenses paid, including transportation to and from the camp. The popular 5-day camp is set up to give young people a better understanding of the legislative process, electric power generation, and the rural electric program. The goal is to offer a program that challenges participants educationally, recreationally, and socially.

All campers that attend YELC will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. Youth Tour.

The Youth Energy Leadership Camp is established as an operating rural electric system and provides a “hands-on” approach to member-owned businesses. The students will join high school students from Nebraska and Wyoming, along with adult counselors and junior counselors. The adult counselors are employees of rural electric systems who donate their time and talents to the camp. The junior counselors are selected by their peers to return to next year’s camp.

The camp offers recreational activities, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, campfires, and canoeing. Camp expenses and transportation are provided by each sponsoring rural electric system. Students that are currently in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade may apply. Eligible students must contact us by June 1st. A highlight of the camp involves a tour of the Kingsley Hydro Station at Lake McConaughy and Gerald Gentleman Station, a coal-fired power plant at Sutherland, Nebraska.

To see a list of recommended camp items, click here.

Please call the cooperative if you are interested in attending and to obtain an application form, or click here for the camp application and waiver form.

• Tobacco, alcohol, and drugs (except those medications prescribed by a doctor) will not be permitted.
• Campers are responsible for any property destruction. Any accidental destruction or malfunction should be reported to the camp director.
• Campers are expected to attend all sessions that are part of the planned program. If you are ill and cannot attend a session please notify your adult counselor.
• Campers are not allowed to leave the program area during the week unless prior arrangement has been made with the camp director. All cars will be off limits.
• Female campers/staff/counselors are not allowed in male cabins, and male campers/staff/counselors are not allowed in female cabins.
• Dress appropriately. Clothing with inappropriate language or graphics is not allowed. Shoes/sandals should be worn at all times. Closed toe shoes are required on Wednesday for the tour.
• If you are on a special diet, notify your adult counselor.
• After meals, each camper will carry their own dishes to the kitchen counter and clean off the tables.
• Kitchen area in the lodge is off limits to all campers.
• Campers must keep their cabins neat and clean.
• Dispose of litter in trash barrels provided around the camp. Do not leave empty pop cans in the rooms or cabins. Pop is not allowed on the second floor of the lodge.