San Miguel Power Association, Inc.

Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp

Do you want to spend a week with hundreds of other high school students at Elk River Resort near Steamboat Springs? San Miguel proudly sponsors two high school junior students to attend the Cooperative Youth Leadership camp - week long adventure in Clark, Colorado.

What is the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp?

Every July, nearly 100 high school students travel to Clark, Colorado (north of Steamboat Springs) after being selected by their local cooperatives as participants. The primary objective of the camp is to provide an educational experience for young people on the organization and operation of a cooperative. Students will develop leadership skills that will assist them with the challenges they will face in the future.

The best way to learn about cooperatives is to form one, and that is what the participants do. When students arrive the first day, they form a cooperative and elect a board of directors. Each member of the cooperative is expected to take part in the workings of the co-op by seeking election to the board or by serving on one of the camp activity committees.

A number of special presentations are highlighted at the camp. Students learn electrical safety and how to prevent electrical shock. Professors for the U.S. Air Force Academy present an energy game that carries players into the future where they deal with the problems of energy supply and demand and the impact on the environment. Students will also participate in a legislative simulation and meet with several state congressmen and lobbyists.

The entire group will visit the Craig Station Power Plant, the largest electric generating station in Colorado, and the Trapper Coal Mine which supplies Craig.

Of course, there is plenty of time for FUN! Glen Eden Resort has volleyball courts, a swimming pool, hot tubs, and tennis courts. There will be nights by the campfire, dances, banquets, hot springs pool and pizza parties, trips to the top of Mt. Warner and to Fish Creek Falls, and time to explore Steamboat Springs, one of the premier ski resorts in the world.

Tour Dates: July 18 - 23, 2010

Application Deadline: December 21, 2009

You may pick up an application from your school counselor or at the San Miguel Power office nearest you. You can also download your application form here. For more information please call Becky Mashburn (970) 626-0212.

Requirements for interested students:

Be a High School Junior age 16-18.
Live in a household that receives electricity from San Miguel Power Association.
Complete the application and a 500 word essay on the topic of electric cooperatives and how they differ from other utilities and how San Miguel Power has made a positive impact on your community.
Return your application to the San Miguel Power office nearest you.

For more information on the CREA Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp visit http://www.crea.coop/youth_activities.htm.