Energy Camp

June 1st-4th 2027

Stay Tuned for more information to come!

Group photo of children and teenagers at the 2022 Energy Camp at Oakridge Christian Camp in Anadarko, OK. The campers are wearing teal T-shirts with a camp logo, standing outdoors on in front of green trees, with a sign that reads '2022 Energy Camp'. The logo of Northwestern Electric Cooperative is displayed at the bottom right of the image.
Smile of group of children and teenagers at energy camp holding signs indicating leadership roles, standing on grass with trees in the background.
Three young women sitting on a large red bench shaped like a vintage truck at Camp Koronnong, with a sign reading "ANYON CAMP" behind them, surrounded by green trees and a cloudy sky.

About Energy Camp

YouthPower Energy Camp is for current 8th-graders who live in our service territory. They will attend camp the summer between their 8th grade and freshman year. The schools include Arnett, Buffalo, Fargo-Gage, Ft. Supply, Laverne, Mooreland, Seiling, Sharon-Mutual, Shattuck, Taloga, Vici and Woodward.

***Students do not need to live in a household served by NWEC to qualify. ALL 8th grade students in the schools listed above qualify.

Northwestern Electric sends up to three students to Energy Camp at Canyon Camp in Hinton, Okla. 

While at camp students will have the chance to climb a utility pole, go up in a bucket truck, and participate in many group activities and leadership workshops. Overall, these eighth-graders get the chance to learn about the cooperative business model, power source generation, transmission and distribution power lines, electrical safety and the history of Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives.

The campers also experience the cooperative business model firsthand by electing a board of directors who then interview and hired a camp manager. The elected directors and camp manager maintain leadership roles during camp operations and act as liaisons between the campers and counselors at times.

Each year campers come home with a whole new set of leadership skills, fun stories to tell and friends from all over the state.

How to Apply

Students who wish to enter must meet the following criteria:

  1. Students must be in the 8th grade in NWEC's service territory (homeschooled students at the 8th grade level also qualify).

  2. Submit an essay between 250 and 500 words describing one specific way an electric cooperative is different from a regular power company (for example: member ownership, local control, or community focus) and why that difference matters to your town. Consider using a real example from your own community if you can.

  3. Students will be asked to create a short video (15–30 seconds) to accompany their application. The video should share one thing you learned or believe people don't know about electric cooperatives, connecting back to your essay topic. Videos can be filmed on any device and shared as a video file, a link, or posted to social media (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, you name it) — the post does not need to be published. Students must email their video to Manda Wheeler at manda.wheeler@nwecok.org, or attach a link to it with their application. If for any reason the student does not have access to a camera or social media, the student can submit a typed explanation of what they would say in their video and why (for example: I would talk about " " because __).

  4. Complete the form below, or email the essay, screenshots of the social media post, and student/parent information to manda.wheeler@nwecok.org. You can also mail the application to NWEC, 2925 Williams Ave., Woodward, OK 73801.

  5. Entry deadline is April 1st 2027.

Energy Camp Application Form
 

Energy Camp is Awesome Because:

  • A young girl smiling and climbing a utility pole using climbing gear, wearing a helmet and gloves, outdoors with green trees and a partly cloudy sky in the background. A man in a yellow shirt walking nearby, with equipment on the ground.

    Brooklyn Vincent - Arnett

    NWEC 2024 Energy Camp Winner

    “Energy Camp is awesome because we learned how dangerous electricity can be. The counselors are also amazing and so much fun! We did a lot of interactive things like fix a blown fuse and put it back on the pole, climb the pole, etc. Plus, we learned about how co-ops work and what they are. The skits were so much fun too; we told how our group co-op started and many more things. I love Energy Camp!”

  • Young boy running on a grassy field with children behind him, a red building, green trees, and power lines in the background.

    Rylan Compston - Mooreland

    NWEC Energy Camp 2024 Winner

    “Energy Camp is awesome because it gave me the opportunity to grow and develop new qualities of leadership. I also had a blast meeting new people and making new friends. This camp was a great experience, and I hope to grow from the opportunity.”

  • Group of teenage girls talking and laughing outside near a red wooden building with green trees in the background. They are wearing casual summer clothing and name tags around their necks.

    Katherine Moffet - Woodward

    NWEC 2024 Energy Camp Winner

    “Even though I was learning about electricity and power lines sometimes, I also learned about co-ops which turn out to be really important in our community. They provide lots of support locally and they don’t treat people as investors or customers, they call them members. Energy Camp is awesome because the environment was cool and the people were super nice.”

  • A group of young people standing outdoors on a grassy field, holding a sign that reads 'COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLE 4' with additional text below, and smiling at the camera. In the background, there are trees, a red building, and power lines.

    Blakely Vowel - Vici

    NWEC 2026 Energy Camp Winner

    “I really enjoyed my time at Energy Camp! It helped me develop qualities of leadership, cultivate more friendships, and stepped me out of my comfort zone. If you have the chance to apply DO IT!”

  • Two women smiling outdoors during daytime, one holding a certificate that reads '2026 Energy Camp President,' with a group of people in the background near a red wooden building and parked cars.

    Adalyn Compston - Mooreland

    NWEC 2026 Energy Camp Winner

    “This camp helped me grow as a leader. I met so many amazing people and got to try lots of new things, all thanks to our co-op and this camp!”

  • Two people, a man and a woman, standing in a lift basket with a large leafy green tree in the background.

    Catherine Hamilton - Fargo-Gage

    NWEC 2026 Energy Camp Winner

    “I had a great time, made new friends, and had that chance to connect further with people across the state I had already met through school activities.”

Watch the video below to get an inside look at Energy Camp!