East Central Electric Cooperative was proud to sponsor an energized group of local students who took part in once-in-a-lifetime experiences designed to spark leadership, learning, and lifelong friendships.

Just after Memorial Day, a group of 8th graders turned up the voltage at Oklahoma Energy Camp. Held at Canyon Camp in Hinton, Oklahoma, Energy Camp gave students a hands-on introduction to how electric cooperatives work. They learned about electrical safety and lineman gear, and even got to climb power poles and ride in bucket trucks.

From Hilldale Schools in Muskogee, Brygette Riley-Johns said, “Energy Camp is awesome because I had the opportunity to make new friends and experience once-in-a-lifetime events. You made it possible for me to have a great start to my summer.”

In June, four high school juniors packed their bags for Washington, D.C., as part of the 2025 Oklahoma Youth Tour. Representing East Central Electric, these standout students joined hundreds of others from across the nation for a whirlwind week of history, government, and connection. From standing in awe at the Lincoln Memorial to meeting their congressional representatives on Capitol Hill, our delegates got a front-row seat to democracy in action.

Closer to home, East Central Electric’s headquarters in Okmulgee welcomed two groups of high school students for behind-the-scenes tours. Participants in Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology’s Summer Academy and Upward Bound programs explored our system operations center, got up close with a live-line electrical safety demonstration, and discovered the many career paths that exist within a co-op. Spoiler alert: it’s more than just climbing poles! Our team loved answering questions and seeing students’ eyes light up as they learned how we keep the power flowing.

We’re proud to invest in the bright minds of tomorrow, and we’re already looking forward to reaching even more students in the ‘25-26 school year! If you’re a student who’s curious about electricity, leadership, or just wants a new adventure, we want to hear from you. Applications for next year’s Youth Tour and Energy Camp will open this winter, and tours of the co-op are available year-round for school groups.

Want to know more? Call us or visit www.ecoec.com/youth-power to learn how to plug in.