Youth Tour Application

Pioneer Telephone Cooperative is sponsoring one high school junior to represent our Cooperative to the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Youth Tour in Washington DC, June 1 – June 6, 2026.

This sponsorship is one of the most visible examples of Pioneer’s involvement with, and commitment to, rural youth. Each year, students from across the United States go to Washington, D.C. for a four-day, chaperoned tour of some of the most historical sites in the nation. While there, students also learn about the telecommunications industry, as well as the regulatory and legislative processes. Educational sessions on these topics are greatly enhanced by site visits to the U.S. Capitol and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in addition to meetings with industry leaders and members of Congress.

The students are also given ample time to explore the Nation’s Capital and its many attractions. While there, the group visits sites such as the Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam, and World War II Memorials. Along with Mount Vernon, home of George Washington, the Smithsonian Museums, and many more.

Sponsorship includes airfare, lodging, food, transportation and admittance to all historical sites and attractions on the tour schedule. To apply for this “Trip of a Lifetime,” please complete the application below.

DEADLINE: Application must be submitted no later than February 16, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Applicant must be a member or an immediate relative of someone who is a participating member of Pioneer Connect (you could be a spouse, son, or daughter of the member)
• Your primary place of residence must be located within the Pioneer Connect serving area

Note: There is no time limit to the application process. However, the application will not be saved along the way. Be sure to have enough time to finish it or you will have to start back at the beginning.