One of the most valuable resources in our communities is our area youth. Through powerful programs, designed specifically to target and educate them on cooperatives, Kankakee Valley REMC is able to provide life experiences that complement the lessons they learned in school.

Each summer Kankakee Valley REMC sends a group of incoming seventh graders and high school juniors on separate adventures that teach them about cooperatives and the importance of leadership. Best of all, though, is the fun that they have while making lasting friendships along the way.

Incoming seventh graders enjoyed three days of Touchstone Energy Camp fun in Brookston, Indiana, at Camp Tecumseh. Campers enjoyed traditional camp activities along with a high energy high voltage safety demonstration and fun activities during which they learned about the cooperative business. Local participants included South Central Elementary students Lucas Goodwin, Hope Nielsen and Lillian Tolmen along with Ashlee Sinkiewicz from Boone Grove Elementary.

Three local high school juniors joined the Indiana delegation of 107 students each selected to be part of Youth Tour to Washington, D.C. Kankakee Valley REMC sponsored Rylee Briel, Valparaiso High School; Samantha Williams, Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities; and Nikki Balon, Morgan Township School. During the eight day trip, students visited the Flight 93 Memorial, the Gettysburg Battlefield, Arlington National Cemetery, the Smithsonian museums, the National Mall memorials and much more.