OEC Searching for Best and Brightest Eighth Graders for 2019 Energy Camp

By Brianna Wall | Editor & Creative Director

OEC is searching for the best and brightest eighth grade students in our seven-county service area to send to the action-packed, four day Youth Power Energy Camp!

Energy Camp is set for May 28-31 at Canyon Camp and Conference Center near Hinton. Each year, OEC sponsors up to four students to attend the camp, where they will join 80 of their peers from across the state. Energy Camp helps develop leadership skills and promotes teamwork while teaching about cooperative principles, rural electrification and electrical safety.

"Energy Camp is one of the most fun youth programs we offer," said Tory Tedder-Loffland, education and outreach coordinator. "It's a great way for young people to develop leadership skills while learning about the co-op business model, having fun and meeting new friends."

While Energy Camp offers many traditional summer camp activities like swimming, hiking, basketball and a ropes course, teens also have the unique opportunity to climb an electric pole like a lineman, ride in the basket of a bucket truck and learn about electric safety measures. They'll take home a new-found confidence and a host of new friends — like-minded peers from all over Oklahoma.

CONTEST REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must write a 250 - 500 word essay about leadership. Discuss what makes a great leader and what kind of leader you want to be.

• Applicants must submit a resume of their curricular, extracurricular and leadership activities. Include awards, recognitions and certificates. Also include club memberships, offices held, hobbies, community involvement and special interests.

• Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher, principal or community leader.

• Fill out the online entry form at www.okcoop. org/EnergyCamp and upload the essay, resume and letter of recommendation OR mail all items to, OEC, Attn: Energy Camp, P.O. Box 1208, Norman, OK, 73070.

PROCEDURE AND ELIGIBILITY

Students currently enrolled in eighth grade qualify and must meet the requirements listed to the left, including an essay about leadership, a resume, letter of recommendation and the online entry form.

Energy Camp is part of OEC's youth development initiative, L.E.A.R.N.: Leading, Educating, Advancing and Rewarding the Next generation. L.E.A.R.N. encompasses the catalog of youth programs OEC offers to students, teachers and schools in our service area.

If you have questions regarding the contest, Energy Camp or other OEC youth programs, contact Tory Tedder-Loffland at 217-6726 or tory@okcoop. org, or visit www.okcoop.org/EnergyCamp.