South Dakota Rural Electric Youth Excursion

Each summer, South Dakota's rural electric cooperatives sponsor area students for the South Dakota Rural Electric Youth Excursion. This FREE four-day event takes place in Bismarck and Beulah, North Dakota.

During the four-day all-expense-paid excursion students will stay at Bismarck State College and tour the power-generation facilities in North Dakota where a majority of the electricity they use is produced. Students will also participate in hands-on electrical experiments and attend social activities like swimming, shopping, and a riverboat cruise down the Missouri River. High school students who are dependents of B-Y Electric members are encouraged to apply for the South Dakota Rural Electric Youth Excursion.

2026 Youth Excursion

July TBD, 2026 in Bismarck, N.D.

All area high school students whose parents or guardians are members of B-Y Electric are eligible to apply.

Teens attending this event will:

• Have the opportunity to sightsee and meet new friends from other participating cooperatives.
• Learn about “The Story Behind the Switch” and see where South Dakota’s electricity generates.
• Tour the Great Plains Synfuel Plant, Freedom Coal Mine, and Antelope Valley Station Power Plant.
• Spend their evenings swimming, shopping, and cruising on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat.

B-Y Electric will provide transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment, and sightseeing events. Students are only required to supply their own personal/shopping money.

Apply now for this all-expenses-paid trip!

Deadline for 2026: Friday, May 8th, 2026