tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27151644851829625332024-03-13T17:01:57.891-05:00Iowa Youth TourEducating and developing tomorrow’s cooperative leaders Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-29455446553140443132023-06-22T17:41:00.001-05:002023-06-22T20:36:42.838-05:00Day 5 (6/22/23)<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Last Day in DC</u> :(</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Joke of the Day:</b> What was George Washington's spirit animal? <i>A buck</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNormal">6:30am came early as we headed to the Crystal City Sports
Pub for the last time. Since there was something happening at The White House,
we were not able to get a group photo in front of it. Next, was the Washington
Monument as we received passes to go all the way to the top. It was awesome going
to the top and looking down in all the different directions.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUqerPDTPy4m0ju8ofZbUvkWIQtW8idvyZ7EGQmyvTUorwysBLCz3YURV5jln_DauEMztKYQM5PzNSHtbsN_WG-XSgxEDkPtYOUZYwhAx_wDB0LugO70NU2Ej27G-nOVHyMbAJ33Jff7y275ZuWEl6Uu7URjwIlfKgqi0DyMHwqtZLq3OwchM6SnZDqQ/s4032/top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUqerPDTPy4m0ju8ofZbUvkWIQtW8idvyZ7EGQmyvTUorwysBLCz3YURV5jln_DauEMztKYQM5PzNSHtbsN_WG-XSgxEDkPtYOUZYwhAx_wDB0LugO70NU2Ej27G-nOVHyMbAJ33Jff7y275ZuWEl6Uu7URjwIlfKgqi0DyMHwqtZLq3OwchM6SnZDqQ/s320/top.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next 6.5 hours was at The National Mall. Students had to
stay in at least groups of three, but they could go anywhere they wanted within
two blocks. They could choose between the Air & Space Museum, National
Archives, African American Museum, Natural History Museum, and other free museums.
Many got lunch at food trucks, which is always fun to see them try it for the
first time. After that, we headed to the hotel to pack.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlwJds8UNYNN6SvZqHLXyt0_Gh2acP0ozxDOfnXKYWnyfPUjcMhSJywwlwOIXhb7fCEr1tjCi4IO-qM6WBm6roqFgyv3ttV7QKyUTNTD6f8YWBafjkluZUfkqCXJXWSA99eJCqvWogwoVK82IVlg3Z3nkuIbHBNZfLcJpdToojm8hqlRDYKXHiMY3K8E/s4032/car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlwJds8UNYNN6SvZqHLXyt0_Gh2acP0ozxDOfnXKYWnyfPUjcMhSJywwlwOIXhb7fCEr1tjCi4IO-qM6WBm6roqFgyv3ttV7QKyUTNTD6f8YWBafjkluZUfkqCXJXWSA99eJCqvWogwoVK82IVlg3Z3nkuIbHBNZfLcJpdToojm8hqlRDYKXHiMY3K8E/s320/car.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The kids said a farewell to Rob, who has been an amazing bus driver for us. The kids grew very fond of him. We hope to see him again next year. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Wu65U1cvohfSO36CrR0GOS82R3VsLMSgj7kB46LnYhiai676tI5CFkmYSbo7SXx16zbYx9d3L1ddgI7VTBsGmovp46bQWPK3wcGy04WGEzwBm871CBSGLjq-ArdLDfz3kw1P6--MwrKa1sAFpCmxPIKEpJhT8BClcROoQ0qD-obRNjF9a0DaqV2MGB4/s4032/rob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Wu65U1cvohfSO36CrR0GOS82R3VsLMSgj7kB46LnYhiai676tI5CFkmYSbo7SXx16zbYx9d3L1ddgI7VTBsGmovp46bQWPK3wcGy04WGEzwBm871CBSGLjq-ArdLDfz3kw1P6--MwrKa1sAFpCmxPIKEpJhT8BClcROoQ0qD-obRNjF9a0DaqV2MGB4/s320/rob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Followed by a pasta supper, Iowa had their last snack
cooperative meeting. Students reflected on their trip and gave speeches. It was
very heartwarming to hear everyone’s amazing experiences. After that, the kids
went to the game room before a 9:30pm room check.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmucciymEe3vUs8u2RESc4RGOnNpXj8g47zRiBgiLWf_rinBGVTRXXFFmtewgyIL_xHeMAkVzGwMf5doOkbHeEFflEfkUAdYBOzOmevdN8Z5TCElrj4hjGKfEQz6_lBaT0incVodLPeAoNA4vxcNwDyFn0F0iWZs9nOomfR-xU9cwvfZWgGpnhpQC6yY/s4032/meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmucciymEe3vUs8u2RESc4RGOnNpXj8g47zRiBgiLWf_rinBGVTRXXFFmtewgyIL_xHeMAkVzGwMf5doOkbHeEFflEfkUAdYBOzOmevdN8Z5TCElrj4hjGKfEQz6_lBaT0incVodLPeAoNA4vxcNwDyFn0F0iWZs9nOomfR-xU9cwvfZWgGpnhpQC6yY/s320/meeting.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IDpPg_EXcfyJy37Eiowgd9qFp6eR3Aj1R2gi1crcmdQFtA2mwTxmXJn1viWz56JVN26bDjbf-dMwlzqvxqScWlaVoe3GtTstA7b7IsJPXXq76EwnvRBHd-B50-ic9mp-4g2m_QlTvBJp-YTZqZ5jkSC9h9mO_UijaGzGMIWgai-g67WDVXgvHXYYtD8/s4032/meeting%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IDpPg_EXcfyJy37Eiowgd9qFp6eR3Aj1R2gi1crcmdQFtA2mwTxmXJn1viWz56JVN26bDjbf-dMwlzqvxqScWlaVoe3GtTstA7b7IsJPXXq76EwnvRBHd-B50-ic9mp-4g2m_QlTvBJp-YTZqZ5jkSC9h9mO_UijaGzGMIWgai-g67WDVXgvHXYYtD8/s320/meeting%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tomorrow is a 4am wake up call as we head back home to Iowa.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Goodnight DC. It’s been fun. <o:p></o:p></p><i></i><p></p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-85686213475482030062023-06-21T21:24:00.006-05:002023-06-21T21:46:38.323-05:00Day 4 (6/21/23)<p> <u> </u><span style="font-size: large;"><u>CAPITAL HILL DAY</u>👇</span></p><p><b>Joke of the Day:</b> Why did the secret service bring a herd of cows to the White House? <i>They were trying to beef up security</i></p><p>6:45am came early when everyone met in the hotel lobby wearing their red polo and kaki pants ready to take on Capital Hill. We went to the Joni Ernst Constituent Coffee right after breakfast and received a talk from her and took a group photo. She even wore one of our corn necklaces! After that, each kid got their own picture, as well as kids from the same CO-OP. The weather was not the best, as students wore their ponchos and umbrellas 24/7.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqooxxjdpwl9mlsqNBXpL9l09_rwu1ijhGyRAxC_8le7NDonCb7obvp-Etu3FUgpsly0vjR4x2CllVDSeVIh-9xF8r2x612DTqw6OHpALc3JwCW-cVyUZTKOlD2W_NcbB3mr0KkTuHThsgXetj9LEffFqtsHBFAD9cWxVFlCAAx-mvUdIaXF5a-9k-K74/s4032/joni.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqooxxjdpwl9mlsqNBXpL9l09_rwu1ijhGyRAxC_8le7NDonCb7obvp-Etu3FUgpsly0vjR4x2CllVDSeVIh-9xF8r2x612DTqw6OHpALc3JwCW-cVyUZTKOlD2W_NcbB3mr0KkTuHThsgXetj9LEffFqtsHBFAD9cWxVFlCAAx-mvUdIaXF5a-9k-K74/s320/joni.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Next, each kid saw their House of Representatives from their own division. Pictured is Randy Feenstra and the students from division 4. After lunch, we met up with Senator Chuck Grassley, who we originally going to go on a run with him this morning, but he had hip surgery a while ago. It is always fun listening to them talk to our high school group. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVRombRNYtjrtNlF7FV1Sa2hNqjYm3j32hjH004lL_tHyKwgOsD21Y6_IdS4SzkxLBB465CktAGBJ-YnQy6jiT8prA9XY9c7q4FL9EwWmVepjxey_meYtlrHSYYjQ5G__DpJAWLgUSikFQ6Qd3WAWRTN12Ar0Zqr2tc8H9TRcmWWEWQDaFPmrjpTwqyc/s4032/grass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVRombRNYtjrtNlF7FV1Sa2hNqjYm3j32hjH004lL_tHyKwgOsD21Y6_IdS4SzkxLBB465CktAGBJ-YnQy6jiT8prA9XY9c7q4FL9EwWmVepjxey_meYtlrHSYYjQ5G__DpJAWLgUSikFQ6Qd3WAWRTN12Ar0Zqr2tc8H9TRcmWWEWQDaFPmrjpTwqyc/s320/grass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y2jKZgQ6Dv4wEsp_3itBtgzVIdspwZUnedWbK58ZMKGltIrAUvwVWjgDduJWtVjH9Ml64MhIUt4UFaONZY062LW09KUhGk6hffXFNDS8qd-Vm4CLkthHcP1GgaHeihVWBc52Vl5U57InWllbzypjCXblEpaZ3AJ121YWlOnzIJKWH551lXbj89posUA/s4032/feenstra.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y2jKZgQ6Dv4wEsp_3itBtgzVIdspwZUnedWbK58ZMKGltIrAUvwVWjgDduJWtVjH9Ml64MhIUt4UFaONZY062LW09KUhGk6hffXFNDS8qd-Vm4CLkthHcP1GgaHeihVWBc52Vl5U57InWllbzypjCXblEpaZ3AJ121YWlOnzIJKWH551lXbj89posUA/s320/feenstra.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The capital tour was next on the agenda and it was super cool to hear all about it and see the statues and paintings. We had an audio tour, which is helpful when the Capital is full of people.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd9dZACHNk4GFFtCj5AjX1U7Z3NbasSnV0TFiZc86ehUrw0RLHu_7zTwNEeok7Lt9XBr2efnqvHGHuuMR2xfQ62_9_0oByeXPqr2p2vI9jJoHXKjs0cooUbiv7py9v9fuDOUvF6-F1WceSeeO_MvN60as7OG-StZLi04mtW1fbJCFgjcah2lDZhwsxss/s4032/tour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzd9dZACHNk4GFFtCj5AjX1U7Z3NbasSnV0TFiZc86ehUrw0RLHu_7zTwNEeok7Lt9XBr2efnqvHGHuuMR2xfQ62_9_0oByeXPqr2p2vI9jJoHXKjs0cooUbiv7py9v9fuDOUvF6-F1WceSeeO_MvN60as7OG-StZLi04mtW1fbJCFgjcah2lDZhwsxss/s320/tour.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was next and it turned everyone silent. The pictures and videos were so horrendous that your stomach twisted. It was good to see the students acknowledge everything they saw, but hard to not un-see those pictures in your head. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Wd9g3ATBSuMicG2i4kfp8cbtE9-CHlakb8e_4mLGKGvMEnDGeowAuOYehFTLYzyg9opF4VIVwHLilhC57n5mBVKXaW1FyW680hiX3xCg1xTml8Udo_n8yYr6o7e6vlC-V8KT0353ccs3HtEZ0JGQHpnGvmBbfRv_nIgEvC03X32QMLjUfVbjCYn9Yk/s4032/holocaust.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Wd9g3ATBSuMicG2i4kfp8cbtE9-CHlakb8e_4mLGKGvMEnDGeowAuOYehFTLYzyg9opF4VIVwHLilhC57n5mBVKXaW1FyW680hiX3xCg1xTml8Udo_n8yYr6o7e6vlC-V8KT0353ccs3HtEZ0JGQHpnGvmBbfRv_nIgEvC03X32QMLjUfVbjCYn9Yk/s320/holocaust.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The last part of the day was Youth Day. This happened on the bottom floor of our hotel, where all the Youth Tour kids ate, traded pins, danced, and listened to a few speakers. We listened to a guy from the Iowa Lakes talks about his project with electricity to Guatemala. Next, was a student talking about her trip to America from Iraq, and last was Mike Schlappi who is a keynote speaker. Mike was paralyzed by his best friend who accidentally shoots him and turned to win gold and bronze medal in the Olympics in wheelchair basketball. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxoBuU3_Yzt9Ry4v1MQtDj0AyBZNsrd9YnB5pRfY1ojecZTuqQJ4UJZEznua2jadw3VPHEmMcrkX0RaZg6sNIV_oNcpD2ugWBwhBZrTW3VtaBa7clbKpL4hvxVkBmo8nZQCcBmxrwAivQ5ZQZ1sss_CesgA1KeULF_agfd9EsUkYQlMsacURQX08HuIg/s4032/mike.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxoBuU3_Yzt9Ry4v1MQtDj0AyBZNsrd9YnB5pRfY1ojecZTuqQJ4UJZEznua2jadw3VPHEmMcrkX0RaZg6sNIV_oNcpD2ugWBwhBZrTW3VtaBa7clbKpL4hvxVkBmo8nZQCcBmxrwAivQ5ZQZ1sss_CesgA1KeULF_agfd9EsUkYQlMsacURQX08HuIg/s320/mike.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Students had the rest of the time to party and on the dance floor before 10:15pm room check.</p><p>Goodnight DC!</p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-9602920499245681112023-06-20T22:20:00.005-05:002023-06-21T21:43:54.034-05:00Day 3 (6/20/23)<p style="text-align: center;"><u> <span style="font-size: large;">ONCE IN A LIFETIME TRIP💓</span></u></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Joke of the Day:</b> What is the tallest building in Washington, DC? <i>The Library of Congress because it has so many stories</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">6:30am wake-up call, then followed by an amazing breakfast at the Crystal City Sports Pub again. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Our first stop was at the Air Force Memorial where we got another group photo. They were under construction, so we weren't able to go directly under the three pillars.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpZnFfmvBRoUQNFf9JST28RiTxjC9riudk6amD9KObAe-FwLfymlD6UJ9dxs0VIUMSSdMVN62YvxsvGWQ9bmSFQC3Omt_jTvulMTIEpXKceaHXOFjtddFsJ58eX6SOw3tnT1FNxlIN7qEZZ-KPtGCWPSTrmM2VZh9r9HPxHyweZPpnNoIN8akYMZGdx4/s4032/frist.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpZnFfmvBRoUQNFf9JST28RiTxjC9riudk6amD9KObAe-FwLfymlD6UJ9dxs0VIUMSSdMVN62YvxsvGWQ9bmSFQC3Omt_jTvulMTIEpXKceaHXOFjtddFsJ58eX6SOw3tnT1FNxlIN7qEZZ-KPtGCWPSTrmM2VZh9r9HPxHyweZPpnNoIN8akYMZGdx4/s320/frist.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The next stop was my absolute favorite place, Mount Vernon. Students had over an hour to tour George Washington's Mount Vernon, then we had a mansion tour of his house. There were so many things to see there, that we could've been there all day. For lunch, The Youth Tour purchased golden tickets, which allowed the students to stuff their bellies on lunch combo items. Off to the gift shop....</p><p style="text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3N8pBNpG4KLOVKZpqsRaB5oxJgcldOuY0yn2kheNtE_X4qyuTQdcvTFs0hc4Ku0xN8-ESkdr1DLdOzcz3nOF8_kBIZGcDFd1ltaKiHdaK_QVnYgKba11Alzbydm0xDIkJ3M9ugwdRIr-N338acK0lD4zc44Tpt7MqdK9sC2fq5XcFSI9bvt7KTjF2okA/s320/mount%20b.jpg" width="240" /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The most memorable spot was the Arlington Cemetery. The group of students received a train ride with a tour guide explaining some of the most popular people buried there. We saw JFK's eternal flame, which has stayed on for almost 60 years. We made our way over to the changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier. The coolest thing of the whole trip was having 4 students (Tristan, Owen, Lizzy, and Veronica) chosen to lay the wreath. It was breathtaking to watch and the wreath said "Iowa Youth Tour."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-PA5t2s8OhZlHruEwORuzCzokQSKhTDRonBF4xCiUITKskfiJpciCUZzn-BacfQlIsw5rHF9Df3Agq_L3-u2TAflaOGgoug_ykyG_fHIcEEWaLg-dG468eisEXFvLTSiy1N4yCkPy4rREa22NpvGaFrO7C385Ic4CAJzMiNznz_wAwdJ-OE6-ll6y0Y/s4032/wreath.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-PA5t2s8OhZlHruEwORuzCzokQSKhTDRonBF4xCiUITKskfiJpciCUZzn-BacfQlIsw5rHF9Df3Agq_L3-u2TAflaOGgoug_ykyG_fHIcEEWaLg-dG468eisEXFvLTSiy1N4yCkPy4rREa22NpvGaFrO7C385Ic4CAJzMiNznz_wAwdJ-OE6-ll6y0Y/s320/wreath.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaND1Sic6_uVvJG9Ch4CjF7uwkxth2aXRLeH5iaRO6OKYFQnsK6BtUvsnDhN3vYqxBTeR-BXsQQnASoIXsbSrwDB6vayip0Ebm7w0B9F6QpLPPLsm9Htu9qKRrmsk9COzy8-o0phh7vMqjQ9O-p9XciYNPdKTntP-yj2WqU3ptj1KY2gBnnDCX52i8X8Q/s4032/wreath%20w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaND1Sic6_uVvJG9Ch4CjF7uwkxth2aXRLeH5iaRO6OKYFQnsK6BtUvsnDhN3vYqxBTeR-BXsQQnASoIXsbSrwDB6vayip0Ebm7w0B9F6QpLPPLsm9Htu9qKRrmsk9COzy8-o0phh7vMqjQ9O-p9XciYNPdKTntP-yj2WqU3ptj1KY2gBnnDCX52i8X8Q/s320/wreath%20w.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Our group headed over to the U.S. Marine Corps War Par/Memorial for a group photo. There was the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial where we watched the sunset parade. We had our very own picnic, sitting on blankets and eating food we pre-ordered.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnarnXecu8EDKdt2XxRX6cJgriBjAzcK4q5sHtEdQkV8kHooePymEpqonSrGrKsBb6TgMA1ijM5t15Cw_obvcFDl08LPP4XaG1Gc4RQ6sbD0q0kPKTjSPxgSKZrlK7wB7sEmsDxe_Qv-2aAMizgGjCyQgPGJnxBbMRE51Qn3A6A9KkBTKVYx166lEaxX4/s4032/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnarnXecu8EDKdt2XxRX6cJgriBjAzcK4q5sHtEdQkV8kHooePymEpqonSrGrKsBb6TgMA1ijM5t15Cw_obvcFDl08LPP4XaG1Gc4RQ6sbD0q0kPKTjSPxgSKZrlK7wB7sEmsDxe_Qv-2aAMizgGjCyQgPGJnxBbMRE51Qn3A6A9KkBTKVYx166lEaxX4/s320/2.jpg" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFd4MGX3yw-2yYiGU3q7gUCe1LKbkFCmjna-gN6OtrxM4dKPOiaZe24iYj5uHiH83tiT7l7jvH62W4cveL67-dRd825Ji15k5Vw1ekJih5R6TGIi3CVO_NLk_8552B3hMfhoC98SIDxabi8HmdGvumgwRtvLQBM7m-mjFqRQrWUsWjuP_HbpYxmDzwwc/s4032/mount.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFd4MGX3yw-2yYiGU3q7gUCe1LKbkFCmjna-gN6OtrxM4dKPOiaZe24iYj5uHiH83tiT7l7jvH62W4cveL67-dRd825Ji15k5Vw1ekJih5R6TGIi3CVO_NLk_8552B3hMfhoC98SIDxabi8HmdGvumgwRtvLQBM7m-mjFqRQrWUsWjuP_HbpYxmDzwwc/s320/mount.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p style="text-align: left;">The last stop hit the closest to home, the Pentagon 911 Memorial. Students could listen to an audio tour on their phones, which explained the memorial and what all happened on that day. It was very touching. </p><p style="text-align: left;">We headed to the hotel for an hour of the snack CO-OP being open then 10:30pm room-check. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Goodnight DC!</p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-85503232239515508092023-06-19T21:51:00.006-05:002023-06-21T21:41:42.532-05:00Day 2 (6/19/23)<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">💥 DAY 2💥</span></p></blockquote><p><b>Joke of the Day:</b> If you cut put the entire DMV on scale, what would it weigh? <i>A Washing-TON</i></p><p>After a 6:30am wake-up call, the group headed down to the lobby to meet up with their chaperones. Then, we walked a couple blocks over from the hotel for breakfast. Iowa Youth Tour has a ritual of going to Crystal City Sports Pub for breakfast which included: eggs, cereal, sausage, fruit, bacon, french toast, and a variety of juices. The pub is 3 stories, Iowa was on the 2nd story, while Oklahoma was on the 3rd. Students enjoyed the most important meal of the day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqCAMz-dAkwGm2P8djxgte6is7Z-w53yVn6Ue3hhy6r2ce5XRnafpH4Qtu8IKZ7nK8N46nTQsvlcHPzLo8t43JI1-By3BMGQlVZC1oJCI7Mjvg1cdwwC2CbJd5i2zwiTL1JrFYFPV7IoBdD5KaCQ8f2923_paw9_sOb_8ycSyHsRv63bu8dVh7P4m--M/s4032/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqCAMz-dAkwGm2P8djxgte6is7Z-w53yVn6Ue3hhy6r2ce5XRnafpH4Qtu8IKZ7nK8N46nTQsvlcHPzLo8t43JI1-By3BMGQlVZC1oJCI7Mjvg1cdwwC2CbJd5i2zwiTL1JrFYFPV7IoBdD5KaCQ8f2923_paw9_sOb_8ycSyHsRv63bu8dVh7P4m--M/s320/breakfast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>After filling up our bellies, we headed to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial for our first group photo. Next, we headed to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Air & Space Museum) for a couple hours. We received an hour tour guide with veterans themselves, then had time to explore on our own. One of the highlights was seeing the Enola Gay, the plane known for dropping the Hiroshima Bomb. It was amazing listening to all the history and seeing the transformation of space shuttles and planes. The kids stocked up on souvenirs at the gift shop, which everyone was excited about. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUqGwM5UdshLTyPXM3v6P2Ag9PWyERg30aEBmge3LLXaA-Em5IRkgTq28uFUbZkAo-hqwUoXat1a0OXeKrF3hAnKSfWdwhc0hvZBT495OSVwewXhQjKL74M_8LpI7K1To9rWewkbG3xZtK6adWPUwSwvFVb8C259IeFg9TAZbKCy_gflDvNEGcpOJLec/s4032/tj.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUqGwM5UdshLTyPXM3v6P2Ag9PWyERg30aEBmge3LLXaA-Em5IRkgTq28uFUbZkAo-hqwUoXat1a0OXeKrF3hAnKSfWdwhc0hvZBT495OSVwewXhQjKL74M_8LpI7K1To9rWewkbG3xZtK6adWPUwSwvFVb8C259IeFg9TAZbKCy_gflDvNEGcpOJLec/s320/tj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYcEKQAnh_Fm7HECTC5hJ6_KslFzzNgqb2lY5UkL0EkKZ5JLA9LCbfap8PrixKVwB3YZB0sJKwI6A6ND3M2JznJoWnd3e-UV3lCg158M06KQlQ4OHWYNJeR24GyVZyX1CY7uP4yLEHqCw_RZhyZJS0zZICepmNUVb_TX9D6a2RQYVrEl1baykf0HO9A4/s4032/space.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYcEKQAnh_Fm7HECTC5hJ6_KslFzzNgqb2lY5UkL0EkKZ5JLA9LCbfap8PrixKVwB3YZB0sJKwI6A6ND3M2JznJoWnd3e-UV3lCg158M06KQlQ4OHWYNJeR24GyVZyX1CY7uP4yLEHqCw_RZhyZJS0zZICepmNUVb_TX9D6a2RQYVrEl1baykf0HO9A4/s320/space.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The children found names of people from their hometown who died in Vietnam and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd5ucblBlSPm6B52SqqzleyWXMbg5TbvI6Xtf1P47Fvx6Qia-9eP-i__tXafFsXghkQ-kRbHTlvyLJI8l_O2Vv98ZONC3e7_4eToCdxnI16DUJCSOnohYO7HT9N2lNSa48YUJeFsjBgcb58UsB2qzXs0d5XuVf7Z9oec0m2QV9lT13ElUvBLQzvjcATI/s4032/writing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd5ucblBlSPm6B52SqqzleyWXMbg5TbvI6Xtf1P47Fvx6Qia-9eP-i__tXafFsXghkQ-kRbHTlvyLJI8l_O2Vv98ZONC3e7_4eToCdxnI16DUJCSOnohYO7HT9N2lNSa48YUJeFsjBgcb58UsB2qzXs0d5XuVf7Z9oec0m2QV9lT13ElUvBLQzvjcATI/s320/writing.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>For lunch, we went to the most iconic place of all time in DC, Ben's Chili Bowl. Known for their background in segregation and many celebrities going there, we received a private room with our own menu and a slideshow about the history of Ben's. Each table received an appetizer of fries with nacho cheese and chili. Each student got to pick out a list of 8 items of what they wanted for lunch. For dessert, they had a choice of a chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry milkshake. It was absolutely delicious and we will be back again next year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyWwTzWfJfgx6QuEX7zV03IxGsFJWFDwUex423CTmMEioYkqi0Xgt-oTwYix3O4QfvR81cve1SYm4GoEHP-_p1k4kC0s5-KFcpsBtHOSZrS3YYkSf6FZIjmEPV4rIase8p_DjFHeNW6G392mKWO3pm-degPVEItddTyDWhWGWWxpH7sSv75LNSHxcsT8/s4032/bens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyWwTzWfJfgx6QuEX7zV03IxGsFJWFDwUex423CTmMEioYkqi0Xgt-oTwYix3O4QfvR81cve1SYm4GoEHP-_p1k4kC0s5-KFcpsBtHOSZrS3YYkSf6FZIjmEPV4rIase8p_DjFHeNW6G392mKWO3pm-degPVEItddTyDWhWGWWxpH7sSv75LNSHxcsT8/s320/bens.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The next few stops included many monuments, such as Albert Einstein, Roosevelt (FDR), Martin Luther King Jr., and Dwight D. Eisenhower. We also received a tour of Ford's Theatre, which was interesting to listen about Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Every student received a snack bag, which kids took advantage of today. We are giving access to water bottles at every place we stop, which is beneficial with DC's heat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBXYKDcY388br0ql8gyNRGrWlUuyYUm5oEjpywq04sngH4jBNSNe-tv9QyKw5w08RBwTCLkZ-EDWL17QrljINuISMGqJImnmMzFGxBcAAo7rQwC6YwNwPDI7zN2OcXuQat5P44hXgszu6oV1MnOjuTPB177i_qeWp55kBSZzyNb9-SbF05SGshobN5k0/s2206/fords.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="2206" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBXYKDcY388br0ql8gyNRGrWlUuyYUm5oEjpywq04sngH4jBNSNe-tv9QyKw5w08RBwTCLkZ-EDWL17QrljINuISMGqJImnmMzFGxBcAAo7rQwC6YwNwPDI7zN2OcXuQat5P44hXgszu6oV1MnOjuTPB177i_qeWp55kBSZzyNb9-SbF05SGshobN5k0/s320/fords.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx00EXLcy7K1PCTXZz5ZI3rveevjQlwltnhDv6Hh4B53Jn7n3m8U6LbA6xR3UNKIOdKnmuw_vni_l1XLMhNrOD2GHBN4R2h9F8WuxbeAvEqAPsopaakxfBm0HW0RO5tHCd3P0zaLLrjElxiqYnrvAEUpRTNQuR2DwdrqExwq6go625sTCcM6HEMFMFzLw/s4032/einstein.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx00EXLcy7K1PCTXZz5ZI3rveevjQlwltnhDv6Hh4B53Jn7n3m8U6LbA6xR3UNKIOdKnmuw_vni_l1XLMhNrOD2GHBN4R2h9F8WuxbeAvEqAPsopaakxfBm0HW0RO5tHCd3P0zaLLrjElxiqYnrvAEUpRTNQuR2DwdrqExwq6go625sTCcM6HEMFMFzLw/s320/einstein.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Amy Gold was our tour guide for most of the monuments and she is a hoot! We learned all about the history of monuments, buildings we passed, and heard a lot of funny/crazy stories. Youth Tour is always blessed to have her as a tour guide. </p><p>Supper Time!! Our group finished the night at Hill Country BBQ. They served mac n cheese, brisket sandwiches, coleslaw, lemonade, chocolate chip cookies, and cornbread. After getting our bellies filled, we headed to the hotel for games and the snack cooperative to start their business. At the beginning of the tour, we had students sign up for a membership of the snack CO-OP ($1) and a punch card for $5. The delegates assigned a board of directors with positions in the CO-OP. Students can go into the CO-OP and purchase snacks and beverages with their punch cards. This is helpful for students to see what it is like in a real cooperative and in business.</p><p>It is getting so fun to see all the kids branch out and become more outgoing. Friendships are brewing and everyone is getting to know each other better. The Youth Tour 2023 Family is starting to form.</p><p>10pm was room check and everyone was ready to hit the hay. </p><p>Goodnight DC!</p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-48893751352005277292023-06-19T20:57:00.004-05:002023-06-21T21:38:11.329-05:00Day 1 (6/18/23)<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><u>WE MADE IT TO DC😀😄😆🙏</u></span></p><p><b>Joke of the Day: </b>Why can't you just go to one Smithsonian museum? <i>Because you have to see the Mall</i></p><p>4am wake-up call came way too early for everyone. We headed to the Des Moines Airport and our flight to St. Louis, MO, left at 6:30am. After a 2 hour layover, we got back on the plane and landed in Baltimore, MA. Having a number system, wearing the same color shirt, and lanyards help with keeping the group of 44 together. It was amazing to see how many first-time flyers we had.</p><p></p><p>We were greeted by a charter bus with our wonderful bus driver Rob, who has been driving for the Youth Tour for about 16 years. State Patrol by night, he takes two weeks off the year to drive us and another group of students around. On the bus were our pre-ordered Subway sandwiches. </p><p>The first stop was at Fort McKinley where the National Anthem was created. We had a tour guide in the beginning, then we were able to explore in groups of 3. The weather was beautiful, but a little hot for some people's liking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIBhoPw8AELeov5pdABsqMaDuYHe51NqrwdiVdkDF44wOTdcuXg7uWzSBWOKzCtzyxvTBWFJEk_f8lHRQgwOy6uUZyzFQbiiiIXaYhirrv-1b1sQy3KzY6bjZZkQLu3cXUPrD1XjgFCgpLOYe03JL3tIQ0no32resO_66aWszApFKfQs9ZJ9EfscoTtY/s1794/mckin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIBhoPw8AELeov5pdABsqMaDuYHe51NqrwdiVdkDF44wOTdcuXg7uWzSBWOKzCtzyxvTBWFJEk_f8lHRQgwOy6uUZyzFQbiiiIXaYhirrv-1b1sQy3KzY6bjZZkQLu3cXUPrD1XjgFCgpLOYe03JL3tIQ0no32resO_66aWszApFKfQs9ZJ9EfscoTtY/s320/mckin.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The second stop we headed to Washington DC for everyone's favorite.😉THE WHITE HOUSE!<span> We were only there for a little bit, but the students took many pictures and witnessed people playing instruments on the streets for money.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvdw3bR_dPYOWmpZkRB2_6H2dp19Mj29agNziYGHHrFVXUiM1WJApt_Lfl9_ZdlnWw9qeC_eK33o3QNmsnp2Ol8PqiSsU_uKuK9Uxv3ICtnZJjYJI_LBBE_0hnQGjIYy4EMbwhPO0kT4rSFU5t0d85CKQVEr62rL8nxz_J1-4y7QrIjvLHlFI_tqnFw0/s4032/white%20house.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvdw3bR_dPYOWmpZkRB2_6H2dp19Mj29agNziYGHHrFVXUiM1WJApt_Lfl9_ZdlnWw9qeC_eK33o3QNmsnp2Ol8PqiSsU_uKuK9Uxv3ICtnZJjYJI_LBBE_0hnQGjIYy4EMbwhPO0kT4rSFU5t0d85CKQVEr62rL8nxz_J1-4y7QrIjvLHlFI_tqnFw0/s320/white%20house.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span><br /></span><p></p><p>Shelly surprised the group with a little time before supper and took us paddle boating. The two people biking in the front were breaking a sweat, while the two in the back were enjoying the view of the river. LOL. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpnHNRRNICC8Lxeq5cPGhruSmWU1b81GPx119JSOSkc9qrON2zrgG3kOac5PbWXEkIZ9DlDE_6ws-IDCqcAp1aDZVkdsjm57ugvv8mSBUrlnpHJoeZ2PIUATiapMUyRH5sRcHWbgPLl8mRpmCHN60L69oL21nYcPFHPnyU5r4xJgmVp7HWb6Jn-hsgLM/s1800/paddle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpnHNRRNICC8Lxeq5cPGhruSmWU1b81GPx119JSOSkc9qrON2zrgG3kOac5PbWXEkIZ9DlDE_6ws-IDCqcAp1aDZVkdsjm57ugvv8mSBUrlnpHJoeZ2PIUATiapMUyRH5sRcHWbgPLl8mRpmCHN60L69oL21nYcPFHPnyU5r4xJgmVp7HWb6Jn-hsgLM/s320/paddle.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>The finale of the night was the dinner cruise and dance. Iowa met with Kansas, South Dakota, South Carolina, and Hawaii on the Potomac River for a taco bar and dance/DJ afterward. Everyone had a blast meeting new friends and trading pins from other states. The dance floor was crazy!!! The DJ lasted until 9pm and everyone was exhausted after a long day. We headed to the hotel to unpack, shower, and prepare for tomorrow. Room check was at 10:30pm and we went to bed getting ready for a 6:30am wake-up call. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5IHWkeXi1ga1x7GIpheSzCyq4mxUw-z1aB1-uWQjjtzu7A0eAeiaMeGleBwlSG85i3WH_I-9LeAeFDcZlDxFuXNHqRgVK8pfsL3M313AxfX4Gu6aJXLkpS_-RHlGNOZwHZ1sdUNR6YKvTOguMjZL9YsGHxL1T-ex7jAk5AqBRBIBOkb7RiTFDPLSdYA/s4032/trading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5IHWkeXi1ga1x7GIpheSzCyq4mxUw-z1aB1-uWQjjtzu7A0eAeiaMeGleBwlSG85i3WH_I-9LeAeFDcZlDxFuXNHqRgVK8pfsL3M313AxfX4Gu6aJXLkpS_-RHlGNOZwHZ1sdUNR6YKvTOguMjZL9YsGHxL1T-ex7jAk5AqBRBIBOkb7RiTFDPLSdYA/s320/trading.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0wxFZCA560dBEnP7r2YaxZ0QUlvGM4aNBQSxGUnH0YvzSRl2XVV9f12QoniTVLUNu7vMZhwu0iSexfQbQ0Q1KABbZDMYA6p3-tIzi85LR_lp3v0B2Bmj8oSSmoTm22nS5VOcRRhH6a54RFuBHV69SqBaTtWDDja0v8PO8USTIuAGP4XMe3selFUxC9o/s4032/boat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0wxFZCA560dBEnP7r2YaxZ0QUlvGM4aNBQSxGUnH0YvzSRl2XVV9f12QoniTVLUNu7vMZhwu0iSexfQbQ0Q1KABbZDMYA6p3-tIzi85LR_lp3v0B2Bmj8oSSmoTm22nS5VOcRRhH6a54RFuBHV69SqBaTtWDDja0v8PO8USTIuAGP4XMe3selFUxC9o/s320/boat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Goodnight DC!</p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-34324340307677942542023-06-19T20:34:00.005-05:002023-06-21T21:35:28.272-05:00Orientation (6/17/23)<p style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></p><p style="text-align: center;"><u> THE DAY IS HERE!!😊</u></p><p style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></p><p style="text-align: left;">Parents and students arrived at the Holiday Inn in Des Moines on Saturday, June 17th. They were greeted by the chaperones (Shelly, Thresa, Ashley, Katie, Clayton, and Andrew) with their swag bag, name tag, and snack bag. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Shelly met with the parents and students and reviewed the trip's agenda and the do's and don'ts. After the meeting, the parents were dismissed and the students went to dinner. There were hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, cookies, chips, lemonade and water.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxEuxe5vqyMBM1juIvuo_czoeWMOCtJPaPlNV4W4NY3ntEfqyVeg_qpGwDl5tjtnIWTDYmCwAJzfLUNVECavJvEOFli8HY9Ru59aLnJlUeKiXjWkHP3WCeqF5FfPCVwe1rt_ugFYml09g1-ts856Xsnsi29FWc72luX9nmVm58eYRiOmm3TJSf3Npvh0/s4032/shelly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxEuxe5vqyMBM1juIvuo_czoeWMOCtJPaPlNV4W4NY3ntEfqyVeg_qpGwDl5tjtnIWTDYmCwAJzfLUNVECavJvEOFli8HY9Ru59aLnJlUeKiXjWkHP3WCeqF5FfPCVwe1rt_ugFYml09g1-ts856Xsnsi29FWc72luX9nmVm58eYRiOmm3TJSf3Npvh0/w159-h211/shelly.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">After supper, we played some ice breakers games to get everybody's nerves gone. We played bingo, spoons, trivia, rock paper scissors, a tower of cards, and 20 questions with their travel group. The kids had a lot of fun and already started to make a lot of friends. The delegates voted 5 people onto the snack CO-OP. The students also wrote letters for the hero flight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfn47jr9O3q_9qEu5ct0VAGzRSa8Vdb04hSgd8nhcIHNJou6ThDeH40S--Cj3ggklIKcI1PNivEWQWP6Ey_mBV35v9FzoEX3Bg0AIwy0sigHmok8z30mbPNIIiej4h_Zk1r-AnHHdyF-XXDt4_BuowAoqwhWiO76GyBz6Hx86f6Fc4UBNIn-tiPrt46-0/s4032/ball.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfn47jr9O3q_9qEu5ct0VAGzRSa8Vdb04hSgd8nhcIHNJou6ThDeH40S--Cj3ggklIKcI1PNivEWQWP6Ey_mBV35v9FzoEX3Bg0AIwy0sigHmok8z30mbPNIIiej4h_Zk1r-AnHHdyF-XXDt4_BuowAoqwhWiO76GyBz6Hx86f6Fc4UBNIn-tiPrt46-0/s320/ball.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNkpmtwawxrVnVO6Vvju21YSjtW2SMvMX7xu8VotW8ErFHf7hB5rrKicIuF-c1uONtl3HVm8sRC1p73l5_8SfeHqjfFZ3ANGbUbRnaKTOeBIoaMtMmvlCBVU_tjDrNlJ7uedvAEUQ_OihZ5q9mR8BdGzF8BfXATFSvZUg95yMaM3f9-vFxqDgoUm0fMk/s4032/bingo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNkpmtwawxrVnVO6Vvju21YSjtW2SMvMX7xu8VotW8ErFHf7hB5rrKicIuF-c1uONtl3HVm8sRC1p73l5_8SfeHqjfFZ3ANGbUbRnaKTOeBIoaMtMmvlCBVU_tjDrNlJ7uedvAEUQ_OihZ5q9mR8BdGzF8BfXATFSvZUg95yMaM3f9-vFxqDgoUm0fMk/s320/bingo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_d-hvt_KXDuRebJZSEEG7vrzOavafWWytvXnen5G0ZpkGA-xFED0ww1yPw4-PY0OM9S4f-U1B7LHjLr6rBczCofMs40sUaPgWU3Tm-mJKnLp0lyDXTW2p64vH_qezT5wu7jmhc6liXq_ow2jOvU2nCYg-Xh7WZbZpD6aC4s13-bRbLJNPEyIuRFNf4Eo/s4032/coop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_d-hvt_KXDuRebJZSEEG7vrzOavafWWytvXnen5G0ZpkGA-xFED0ww1yPw4-PY0OM9S4f-U1B7LHjLr6rBczCofMs40sUaPgWU3Tm-mJKnLp0lyDXTW2p64vH_qezT5wu7jmhc6liXq_ow2jOvU2nCYg-Xh7WZbZpD6aC4s13-bRbLJNPEyIuRFNf4Eo/s320/coop.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj1yuqJslH7TdRX1PVhiZ-DGlLeOukv6wdAoWxy1WDREGbKt_65lQdNPcIkD0syzhjN7cIdvZWJ-m6H_zy0XztImhIkeSRgxtJEu7fdjlPaTSgpHTF7eQPvEAOS3ujDpi7i9mItQqlVyZXNOwHT6PMxpryqVSrrhiXfcQDBIHt96X81i7gpzIfXv_4_s/s4032/flight.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPj1yuqJslH7TdRX1PVhiZ-DGlLeOukv6wdAoWxy1WDREGbKt_65lQdNPcIkD0syzhjN7cIdvZWJ-m6H_zy0XztImhIkeSRgxtJEu7fdjlPaTSgpHTF7eQPvEAOS3ujDpi7i9mItQqlVyZXNOwHT6PMxpryqVSrrhiXfcQDBIHt96X81i7gpzIfXv_4_s/w179-h237/flight.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB2jZcccBTwkOhhCh1XA9PQr_CeQIVjLvaRuTZNqcVSnW2o0Y93ONmYX1KnPt7LmQEWE0I4TR6oQUht9X7_X3tm5eCZH9bRvKH2etpqeoGkQpB8KCx9-c3zOBI1KxUNL9FcgOL9R-w4HpTTQ7Ty0aHO6LeLjkDSGmCO2TK1aI-l4yrDGrGS8Ab7e1l4E/s4032/rock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmB2jZcccBTwkOhhCh1XA9PQr_CeQIVjLvaRuTZNqcVSnW2o0Y93ONmYX1KnPt7LmQEWE0I4TR6oQUht9X7_X3tm5eCZH9bRvKH2etpqeoGkQpB8KCx9-c3zOBI1KxUNL9FcgOL9R-w4HpTTQ7Ty0aHO6LeLjkDSGmCO2TK1aI-l4yrDGrGS8Ab7e1l4E/w177-h235/rock.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">After meeting with roommates and travel groups, everyone headed to their room for a 10pm room check.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> 4am wake-up call the next day........</p><p style="text-align: left;">Goodnight DC!</p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-12826060759486645292023-06-02T15:07:00.004-05:002023-06-02T15:07:00.141-05:00Youth Tour – how it all started and the lasting impact<p>In early 1957, the National Rural Electric Cooperatives
Association’s Annual Meeting was off to a strong start in Chicago, and invited
speaker, U.S. Senator Lyndon B. Johnson (D: TX) addressed the crowd with a
novel idea: Rural teens should have the opportunity to experience
Washington, D.C. and see their government in action – and America’s rural
electric cooperatives are the perfect organizations to facilitate this!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><i>“If one thing comes out of this meeting, it will be sending
youngsters to the national capital where they can actually see what the flag
stands for and represents.” </i></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><i>– Lyndon B. Johnson</i></p></blockquote></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The following summer, in 1958, Iowa’s rural electric
cooperatives sponsored 34 delegates for a week-long tour of Washington, D.C. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Recently a member of that very first group was interviewed
about her Youth Tour experience. Here’s what she had to say.<o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal">Delores Fagle Thom recalls experience on 1958 Youth Tour</p><p class="MsoNormal">Over 60 years ago, Delores (Reed) Fagle Thom stepped on a
bus headed to Washington D.C. for the first annual Rural Electric Co-op Youth
Tour. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT6W7Id4-jGBIpChqxwaTN2Xs2n6t505DawN1prT_m6GhxA1t2-IqE9EOYVm5tcLHhuJ_6EVuo8K-4XgaWAwCMCbfI__hPLTQn2pYdP5La00oBprOYG8_EEzmmdmBeKvIgxPmBh5JbLWWXStoL3HDGy9OP99CXp14spWMIC7HDiVL9-3AcjPPn2Hi/s333/Delores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT6W7Id4-jGBIpChqxwaTN2Xs2n6t505DawN1prT_m6GhxA1t2-IqE9EOYVm5tcLHhuJ_6EVuo8K-4XgaWAwCMCbfI__hPLTQn2pYdP5La00oBprOYG8_EEzmmdmBeKvIgxPmBh5JbLWWXStoL3HDGy9OP99CXp14spWMIC7HDiVL9-3AcjPPn2Hi/w150-h200/Delores.jpg" width="150" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Delores holding a group photo from the 1958 trip.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It was a trip that would leave a lasting impression on the recent high school graduate.<br /><br />At the time, Delores was working at the Extension Office in Independence. As a member of the Buchanan County Rural Electric Cooperative, her boss suggested that she complete the application for the tour, writing an essay about why she wanted to be chosen. She was one of the over 30 participants from Iowa selected to go to D.C. in 1958. <br /><br />On June 14, Delores got on a bus headed to D.C., her first time to the nation’s capital.<br /><br />The first day of the trip, they had breakfast with members of the Iowa Congressional Delegation, followed by a tour of the U.S. Capitol, led by Senator Thomas Martin. That was followed by a tour of the Library of Congress, visiting both the House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the Supreme Court Building. Delores recalls the time she spent visiting with her local delegates, as well as posing as a group on the Capitol steps. <br /><br />June 17 saw the participants visiting the NRECA (National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association) Building, followed by a visit to the
Bureau of Printing and Engraving and the Department of Justice.</blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal">Activities the next day included touring the REA (Rural
Electrification Administration) Headquarters at the Department of Agriculture,
viewing the Washington Cathedral and touring the USDA Research Center in
Beltsville, Maryland. </p><p class="MsoNormal">June 19 holds a special place in Delores’ memory. That was
the day participants got a special tour of the White House. </p><p class="MsoNormal">After the White House tour, the group visited the Washington
Monument, including an elevator ride to the top. Next, they went to the
Smithsonian Institute and finished the night with a trip to Glen Echo Amusement
Park. On the final full day of the trip, they toured Arlington National
Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Lee’s Mansion, then concluded the
visit with a tour of Washington’s home at Mt. Vernon. After five days of
learning about government, the group got back on the bus to Iowa on Saturday,
June 21. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Although it’s been well over half a century since Delores
was on the Youth Tour, she still has fond memories of the trip.</p><p class="MsoNormal">With the next group of Youth Tour participants just weeks
before their trip, Delores is excited for them to experience the thrills she
had. </p><p class="MsoNormal">“Make it a learning experience because there’s a lot to
learn, but still enjoy the time that you’re there,” she said. “It was a good
experience for me, a good learning experience.” </p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ExtwYc5t4xQcPNRj4-wXDaY9cJlL8CfIU2e1LY7vRYIBhH4eSgjvcY0egMVe62gZs9cS-R3r4IBNiNEQPm99n4kN4HtRt45RfGoTJtottN7Gi_qSsAc5vGRsnzAv1PpOjUqyLQEZQu_fJxziuJB3VGmz2k1VbGWFAU6iO1351XOzdE9ITYKGuIMD/s4000/YTInDC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2699" data-original-width="4000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ExtwYc5t4xQcPNRj4-wXDaY9cJlL8CfIU2e1LY7vRYIBhH4eSgjvcY0egMVe62gZs9cS-R3r4IBNiNEQPm99n4kN4HtRt45RfGoTJtottN7Gi_qSsAc5vGRsnzAv1PpOjUqyLQEZQu_fJxziuJB3VGmz2k1VbGWFAU6iO1351XOzdE9ITYKGuIMD/w400-h270/YTInDC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKe48q_ogBcZqbRn-UDJ-Cm7lfv3fG0ewJ41REdVKqieiZATLhMgtay4p-P17FgRmJU4Ervj-HKXaRUvGJ8k6LrlYS8fCtEKYQXmfE3raQ0hx6rUCjCxt-nFIaJmENy8F0Vtugv8RSyZFJKH7oitAeX_07hRV004n_cSRaXWuGH9k9qwKhjTPUnJQy/s4000/Img53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2699" data-original-width="4000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKe48q_ogBcZqbRn-UDJ-Cm7lfv3fG0ewJ41REdVKqieiZATLhMgtay4p-P17FgRmJU4Ervj-HKXaRUvGJ8k6LrlYS8fCtEKYQXmfE3raQ0hx6rUCjCxt-nFIaJmENy8F0Vtugv8RSyZFJKH7oitAeX_07hRV004n_cSRaXWuGH9k9qwKhjTPUnJQy/w400-h270/Img53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBL7cjmhdwqBv_Q7XRzJfVSQL8hS_9W0LPiPjISVkEC8Spma5Kgw78ulgaZsMQ0nMrrPb4p0C26M0HRShQpiy8pun7M5IQWp0EjLNzxkxSZkV4YRA0vsFgOc1IgCS-ljMYEK61glnyUWvmny7RFEj59PgxIAEnZxKP0nwFpF18Hxy3xuBDZo8hgW7/s1000/First%20Iowa%20Youth%20Tour%20group.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1000" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBL7cjmhdwqBv_Q7XRzJfVSQL8hS_9W0LPiPjISVkEC8Spma5Kgw78ulgaZsMQ0nMrrPb4p0C26M0HRShQpiy8pun7M5IQWp0EjLNzxkxSZkV4YRA0vsFgOc1IgCS-ljMYEK61glnyUWvmny7RFEj59PgxIAEnZxKP0nwFpF18Hxy3xuBDZo8hgW7/w400-h220/First%20Iowa%20Youth%20Tour%20group.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Special thanks to Jennifer Achenbach, manager of marketing
and communications at Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative, for allowing us
to republish her story.</i><o:p></o:p></p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-60231828775879356602022-06-23T20:41:00.001-05:002022-06-23T20:41:10.947-05:00Day 5 - Our Last Day of Touring in Washington D.C. <p> Thursday, June 23, 2022</p><p><br /></p><p><span> </span>This morning we ate breakfast at Crystal City Sports Pub and then headed toward the Washington National Cathedral. Although we didn't get a chance to tour inside, we did get to walk around outside and tour the grounds. As we were about to leave, we came upon a military funeral being held. We watched from a distance and honored the fallen hero. Many students noted how neat it was to watch. Once boarding the bus, we then headed for the Washington Monument. Standing 555 feet, 5 1/8 inches tall, we all rode the elevator to the very top of the monument. Once on the top floor, each side had 2 windows, with a total of 8 to look out from. The White House could be seen from the North side, Capitol Hill from the East, the Jefferson Monument from the South, and the Lincoln Memorial from the West. Students thoroughly enjoyed going to the top and getting to look out over Washington D.C. from all directions, as well as getting to know more about the monument and how it was built. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Jx9leolWQJTREvMKV_aocJbe3ZaE68pf4Lsk9f6ogvFWVO_mwoYSvtPGsmHqYZlb3pegWlouZmmCdlMN0PwIK9eq-XqXO7sJw3gkhGWATjSh9eh_0-sihzQBWV-KPWcY4x9JB4mejvSQZJ7-piaoeCzfMSLt-8eF3mSmqbQzbFC14vtQ2kbNiYvF/s3456/IMG_9253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Jx9leolWQJTREvMKV_aocJbe3ZaE68pf4Lsk9f6ogvFWVO_mwoYSvtPGsmHqYZlb3pegWlouZmmCdlMN0PwIK9eq-XqXO7sJw3gkhGWATjSh9eh_0-sihzQBWV-KPWcY4x9JB4mejvSQZJ7-piaoeCzfMSLt-8eF3mSmqbQzbFC14vtQ2kbNiYvF/s320/IMG_9253.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> After riding the elevator back down to the bottom, students were able to explore the Smithsonian Museums in groups of three in the National Mall. Some of the museums that students went to included Air and Space, Natural History, American History, American Art, and the African American History and Culture Museum. Students ate lunch at various food trucks around the National Mall and then were able to explore for a little while longer. At 2:15 P.M. we all met at the National Archives Museum and looked at the original documents of The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, and numerous other documents. Unfortunately, no photography was allowed, so no one got any pictures of those. </span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span> The final stop of the touring day was at the Holocaust Museum. What an eye-opening experience. This museum does a great job of telling what, how, and why this unfortunate event ever even took place. The 4 storied museum is emotional and moving all at the same time. Pictures, videos, audio recordings, and a handful of original pieces are on display throughout the museum. Ask any of the students, if you've never been before, it's a must-see stop while in D.C. </span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOX1182RpBAqO29SljyLiBpK8dNnY99IFpeVQT-7ZIY4nYDtMJ3ft146bQVStBik6ZoAIScbVu2bmZP-9OxzCH0WYjCEJ7cJF6vecMTOxruFN56mhkFyrLedeyXpMr_Bw0VT_j9S8Cffa7K5xIXz01zYoly3f1lLJ9gCAstnhiPQGw-WhCITk-Ye8u/s3456/IMG_9324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOX1182RpBAqO29SljyLiBpK8dNnY99IFpeVQT-7ZIY4nYDtMJ3ft146bQVStBik6ZoAIScbVu2bmZP-9OxzCH0WYjCEJ7cJF6vecMTOxruFN56mhkFyrLedeyXpMr_Bw0VT_j9S8Cffa7K5xIXz01zYoly3f1lLJ9gCAstnhiPQGw-WhCITk-Ye8u/s320/IMG_9324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span> The night was finished out with the annual meeting of the D.C. Munchie Cooperative being held. Here, students conducted a meeting where the co-op was dissolved and any profits that were made, were paid out in dividends to each of the members. Students were able to see a full-circle process of how a cooperative operates. From becoming a member, to actively using its offered services, to seeing how this business model works, students now have a greater understanding of how and why cooperatives are successful in all that they do. </span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCspKaSMr7CqaZIqZG81MJJlyHHukr0q8Pw59A2Vk2LSE31jvQO0-7OFJlegNkgXA2pplTM6tFJfIDLSaZjGPttz4QzK4KKZhpueXgcNfWWzevzBTMFo3rHyvNqxbDIQYLoHYZOjQReJqGUCPXdhonUEtJPMvUmqMXdl4Bl2xWlgZGzLDoORVNLdmE/s3456/IMG_9331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCspKaSMr7CqaZIqZG81MJJlyHHukr0q8Pw59A2Vk2LSE31jvQO0-7OFJlegNkgXA2pplTM6tFJfIDLSaZjGPttz4QzK4KKZhpueXgcNfWWzevzBTMFo3rHyvNqxbDIQYLoHYZOjQReJqGUCPXdhonUEtJPMvUmqMXdl4Bl2xWlgZGzLDoORVNLdmE/s320/IMG_9331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow, Friday we have an EARLY wake-up call. 3:00 A.M. to be exact. We will head for the Baltimore, MD airport and be loaded on a plane and headed back to Iowa by 6 A.M. Students have had a blast here in D.C. and made new friendships over these past seven days. It will be sad to see friends go at the airport in Des Moines, but if anything, these friendships will last a lifetime because of this trip. They'll stay in contact through social media, see one another throughout the state at events and conferences, and maybe even keep in constant contact with one another. Youth tour truly is a life-changing trip. It's obvious because these students are different people then who they were when we all met on Saturday evening in Des Moines. Youth Tour 2022 - you've been one for the books!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span>- Hollie Nelson</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span> 2022 Iowa Youth Tour Intern</span></span></span></div><br /><p><br /></p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-69982834999964852172022-06-22T20:17:00.002-05:002022-06-22T20:17:33.088-05:00Day 4 - Capitol Hill Day!<p> Wednesday, June 22, 2022</p><p><span> </span>Today started EARLY! Students had the opportunity to run with Senator Chuck Grassley on a 2 mile run. Start time? 4:15 A.M. 20 students and 3 chaperones took up the opportunity and are all were grateful that they did. While on the run students filtered to the front to run beside Grassley and ask him questions. Some of those questions included what his favorite food is, does he plan to run for re-election, and what his greatest accomplishment is.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsKHogUXO9Rqr-IaRTAyQCHqf4y6sX_yiZRrwiw1cpqWCVrbHn3JsX3L5v13FFqH_PJ02oxUc4E_YSIsgsdUkR-XT3oZGjDWwak2QIY-mciU8kO7XCwhSvTEoNlmYv7JOQwJcwJiCSyw0ybR9D2Mo8kOwYp7P_Jjq_wuvwFnLq_tg42IrId5DE_SP/s900/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsKHogUXO9Rqr-IaRTAyQCHqf4y6sX_yiZRrwiw1cpqWCVrbHn3JsX3L5v13FFqH_PJ02oxUc4E_YSIsgsdUkR-XT3oZGjDWwak2QIY-mciU8kO7XCwhSvTEoNlmYv7JOQwJcwJiCSyw0ybR9D2Mo8kOwYp7P_Jjq_wuvwFnLq_tg42IrId5DE_SP/s320/IMG_1579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span> </span>Breakfast again was at Crystal City Sports Pub. After eating we then headed to the White House where everyone had the chance to get a photo with it and made sure to get a large group photo of everyone as well. From there we went to Capitol Hill where students met with their state representatives and senators. Topics that were discussed included how the senators and representatives got started in their political career, what they're doing to solve the current skyrocketing gas prices, keeping children fed during the summer months, and what committees each of them serve on. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyXEMPX-xxUhOsWXXiWzBuDKAgIpdxaQ3exK2_L3-5w1lUo3SCItUhstfeSw_3Eyo922lJ5GU4oCweotuktsfZqIuADfIAmzfVg5hRBbBevT7JRXaz_Eqsj8D4pz1675tZ-pKYKad7Hkpko77Y96qNzWRxjogggZMQE90yfFMzaY9DtycZMbkcuwE/s3456/IMG_9026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyXEMPX-xxUhOsWXXiWzBuDKAgIpdxaQ3exK2_L3-5w1lUo3SCItUhstfeSw_3Eyo922lJ5GU4oCweotuktsfZqIuADfIAmzfVg5hRBbBevT7JRXaz_Eqsj8D4pz1675tZ-pKYKad7Hkpko77Y96qNzWRxjogggZMQE90yfFMzaY9DtycZMbkcuwE/s320/IMG_9026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Representative Randy Feenstra</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkDiSafZHTKTvAr9qlf8uDqItcsgGh1jmUFr7lXMydujQ0OJrMIQnaDg7_KI6Tu9_9qFMYFkilcpeBolFQsZ3wqdHY0Na_MLSWJwxyxUBKdhEcYWEBKquJq3IAkPK4I1CcyKJj07s28eU0VWoj7JNxAazXQ1GYecI75W4kVyuRvNwes8SsCOOT6RC/s3456/IMG_9079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkDiSafZHTKTvAr9qlf8uDqItcsgGh1jmUFr7lXMydujQ0OJrMIQnaDg7_KI6Tu9_9qFMYFkilcpeBolFQsZ3wqdHY0Na_MLSWJwxyxUBKdhEcYWEBKquJq3IAkPK4I1CcyKJj07s28eU0VWoj7JNxAazXQ1GYecI75W4kVyuRvNwes8SsCOOT6RC/s320/IMG_9079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Representative Cindy Axne</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQ96tV6vz76MclXKOEISU7DDZFyM2-KaQTt7ZFbDyrJ9q_RudMcNpUjo_tM1lU0hX_DwKrwj9drfEiPtI9gly8FujwFOqS1qb2I8akstvMMVfBVHhn6T9Oml1wSQQnvFVo0fynSGZWVHfP5UgeceFOfmuXNPDSoEagXQQd-KLZfqArX3714_O3iRq/s3456/IMG_9168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQ96tV6vz76MclXKOEISU7DDZFyM2-KaQTt7ZFbDyrJ9q_RudMcNpUjo_tM1lU0hX_DwKrwj9drfEiPtI9gly8FujwFOqS1qb2I8akstvMMVfBVHhn6T9Oml1wSQQnvFVo0fynSGZWVHfP5UgeceFOfmuXNPDSoEagXQQd-KLZfqArX3714_O3iRq/s320/IMG_9168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Senator Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> A tour of the capitol then took place where students were able to see the crypt, rotunda, and sculpture rooms within the capitol. After the tour, lunch was then eaten at Coop Bank. After lunch American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, World War I Memorial, and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was visited and students were able to gain a better understanding about each of the memorials and their purpose. The evening was finished off by visiting the interactive Spy Museum and then back to the hotel for an all-states dinner where students had a dance party and got to mingle with students from other states. </span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span>- Hollie Nelson</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> 2022 Iowa Youth Tour Intern</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-18395623353663790992022-06-22T19:46:00.000-05:002022-06-22T19:46:29.532-05:00Day 3 in Our Nations Capitol<p> Tuesday, June 21, 2022</p><p><span> </span>The day began with a short walk up the street to Crystal City Sports Pub where breakfast was served buffet style. The menu included eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, and fresh fruit. After breakfast the bus was loaded and we headed to Mount Vernon. At Mount Vernon students got to see first-hand George Washington's estate and even tour the mansion he once lived in. The inside of the mansion has numerous original pieces from when George and Martha Washington lived there. Some of these pieces included fire places, beds, and original paint in some of the rooms. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX6znw-9iccoQowylCweZ4LG6VicSij2d4ZSrLU1mDzqUUvbD18Bqet5zUz9ZeF4eesug-sEiL5YnCeJ3HGND9qi9jQNUZKXCKp7ea4t6BgGx5wEBuCNrAwLNns8rhy2esIZ1MWRwPOUSJE1ohNfhinKmCeNmjWPktK8AhNCaQHMOSKLcc3JHHww5/s3456/IMG_8197.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX6znw-9iccoQowylCweZ4LG6VicSij2d4ZSrLU1mDzqUUvbD18Bqet5zUz9ZeF4eesug-sEiL5YnCeJ3HGND9qi9jQNUZKXCKp7ea4t6BgGx5wEBuCNrAwLNns8rhy2esIZ1MWRwPOUSJE1ohNfhinKmCeNmjWPktK8AhNCaQHMOSKLcc3JHHww5/s320/IMG_8197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Students in front of the mansion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWNqyftBc7zI0jK_n1ag_cBIUcuDJ6Ol9AVmTjFZwcfrZyZSd0JoxmX7Dp03QObthaf0rS3AcnJQRlsKCBJLMXqLcCpe944LMFQWl_90CmRzzfjTdxYvNzs4THVyHExfB8awDiHOmPGf6uT-FChrN6P4o7jRJNLvDm11vTlEX0rJPVh3ldUqSll_s/s3456/IMG_8216.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWNqyftBc7zI0jK_n1ag_cBIUcuDJ6Ol9AVmTjFZwcfrZyZSd0JoxmX7Dp03QObthaf0rS3AcnJQRlsKCBJLMXqLcCpe944LMFQWl_90CmRzzfjTdxYvNzs4THVyHExfB8awDiHOmPGf6uT-FChrN6P4o7jRJNLvDm11vTlEX0rJPVh3ldUqSll_s/s320/IMG_8216.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Original green paint - this was one of the most</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">expensive colors at the time. This paint showcased</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that the Washington's were wealthy for their time period. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>Lunch was eaten at a cafe on the grounds of Mount Vernon and then students had until 2 P.M. to continue looking around until we loaded up the bus again and headed toward Arlington National Cemetery. A tram tour was taken throughout the cemetery where students gained a greater understanding about the cemetery and those that are buried within it. At 4:15 P.M., four students from Iowa were selected to lay a wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Solider in the cemetery. Lily M., Elsie L., Lucas W., and Ethan B. had the honor of placing the wreath on the tomb. The four of them represented the state of Iowa and Iowa Youth Tour well. After the wreath laying, the tour was finished out by showcasing a few more stones within the cemetery and then we headed for the bus. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFVaAA3ckzd1MsRl7sL5z4RgouRWqruYJpBkjKIiLi5SXwkiL_Cqx9qSmKhXuhiyKXsJdVYxXia1HJ-JiYpgpCL7mV0x4Uak8xvUlB4xLApkkZwuditUPJKrJRYYR-AzdLfsVvtXWLyYGVLTbo0c79lxpVCTVn6IIW2R-JBxqh4B_EagXWTSW9tUH/s640/3E946C8B-FD78-4E5E-B71E-732187C4A8D3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFVaAA3ckzd1MsRl7sL5z4RgouRWqruYJpBkjKIiLi5SXwkiL_Cqx9qSmKhXuhiyKXsJdVYxXia1HJ-JiYpgpCL7mV0x4Uak8xvUlB4xLApkkZwuditUPJKrJRYYR-AzdLfsVvtXWLyYGVLTbo0c79lxpVCTVn6IIW2R-JBxqh4B_EagXWTSW9tUH/s320/3E946C8B-FD78-4E5E-B71E-732187C4A8D3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4JPITxoCmBGTnknikHxP8HwS3Lqyzpd67zBEdJhMqVzdUBx-IAjib4ngDaAHy0RJaurQzdxG20gH2yKz6UPTAjplgxKqg2lQrKWcTGUaBzKFiXVNfykpvCA41jHZ9BjCajivEk4-zUzbl1q2FG8htzlzzus-CtnPC8wLUiOq3T1IAr8VZKrvn0-9/s640/F929F9B5-8782-48CD-9974-4A831DDFF384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4JPITxoCmBGTnknikHxP8HwS3Lqyzpd67zBEdJhMqVzdUBx-IAjib4ngDaAHy0RJaurQzdxG20gH2yKz6UPTAjplgxKqg2lQrKWcTGUaBzKFiXVNfykpvCA41jHZ9BjCajivEk4-zUzbl1q2FG8htzlzzus-CtnPC8wLUiOq3T1IAr8VZKrvn0-9/s320/F929F9B5-8782-48CD-9974-4A831DDFF384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> The night was finished out by eating Subway sandwiches on the bus while we headed to the Iwo Jima Monument. There, we watched the Sunset Parade and watched the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the Marine Corps Silent Drill perform. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdK-A-ZjhZyzqFo4VKRieyvejkxNGTZ_KIC6sa2N7pR_mM5SUq_gSoUO6AQ1wNGw6zE73uUXankx9ciUNczQuFl3jCnEYjV-Lxey2ji6Zgv3RiU2myN-7QzJWoaszF3jL1QEQu0rvo7NZsbYaWX8alnHdrxBnWH9hjUxF2XjIpXNcLqX1e3fG4MQF/s3456/IMG_8364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdK-A-ZjhZyzqFo4VKRieyvejkxNGTZ_KIC6sa2N7pR_mM5SUq_gSoUO6AQ1wNGw6zE73uUXankx9ciUNczQuFl3jCnEYjV-Lxey2ji6Zgv3RiU2myN-7QzJWoaszF3jL1QEQu0rvo7NZsbYaWX8alnHdrxBnWH9hjUxF2XjIpXNcLqX1e3fG4MQF/s320/IMG_8364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></div><br />- Hollie Nelson<div> 2022 Iowa Youth Tour Intern<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-20098615307401702512022-06-20T21:54:00.000-05:002022-06-20T21:54:16.424-05:00We Made It To D.C. - Day 1 & 2<p> Sunday, June 19, 2022</p><p><span> </span>Students departed the Des Moines airport early Sunday morning and arrived in Baltimore, MD around 3:30 PM. The group then met up with the tour bus driver Rob Taylor and loaded up their luggage and headed into Washington D.C. Dinner was held on cruise boat where the states of Texas and South Carolina were also in attendance. After eating a nice meal students had a dance party on the boat, while simultaneously cruising the Potomac River. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFHHz5yL_kkb0n6QiepbDqDvB8zdoiT8sWMHt6K2D2Fila1i-vUUnMHJoJWqM1CluRtT55pHDfixSaRiW8D8FpvxJaK1NeXgW1IS-p-0J05S4FV2AyaQApTFRq7y3lmbF8_XvbpMXicWWQ5rw2KOEIvwMh0xuuD8-QIIPevuHLPOTLU3NDrxeNDfG/s2048/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFHHz5yL_kkb0n6QiepbDqDvB8zdoiT8sWMHt6K2D2Fila1i-vUUnMHJoJWqM1CluRtT55pHDfixSaRiW8D8FpvxJaK1NeXgW1IS-p-0J05S4FV2AyaQApTFRq7y3lmbF8_XvbpMXicWWQ5rw2KOEIvwMh0xuuD8-QIIPevuHLPOTLU3NDrxeNDfG/s320/IMG_1270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMk0GNJ7ylEtH0zcRhTmcAxCLTsZlF0LdtuJcInjJIRDe3V3s3c9aiQc-r13pyh9eF5N6c94Vbpbr6ZjBR3iUtOw80GBkTQNjFbhq3S5YAOf79W_X3zr-brxy51xpZOIVysnPYrk55pR7GyWdRIUlH-mfSA_1dA2g8bNlh47gnFSf9Jxw_NQmKpt4/s2048/IMG_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMk0GNJ7ylEtH0zcRhTmcAxCLTsZlF0LdtuJcInjJIRDe3V3s3c9aiQc-r13pyh9eF5N6c94Vbpbr6ZjBR3iUtOw80GBkTQNjFbhq3S5YAOf79W_X3zr-brxy51xpZOIVysnPYrk55pR7GyWdRIUlH-mfSA_1dA2g8bNlh47gnFSf9Jxw_NQmKpt4/s320/IMG_1066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Monday, June 20, 2022</p><p><span> </span>Students began the morning by attending Youth Day where they heard from multiple Blue Shirts and their experiences with Youth Tour. Then, keynote speaker Mike Schlappi then spoke to students about his message titled "If You Can't Stand Up, Stand Out!" In short, his message is about overcoming what happens to you and making the most of it, while remaining positive. As a paraplegic, he knows that all too well. Mike kept students engaged as they laughed at his jokes throughout his speech. What an inspiration Mike is and a great message he has to share with others!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgdokJPHRzsyP2X0nUUHHGDtQGA0bzg9jyqXmY1FTBEqwurJIXvM0e4WFSg1iGez50k3fbQISTOCqFu9fnXF2LkYDd1SJ8vdHlb8nJ7Pd5scF62s67OvBSjasWI3DYOUMLyuXO1XHJUnwoOK2peD4m3cWkHxMm77zrJQZZIQ5Yjp9FBVrV2pI7z73/s3456/IMG_7672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgdokJPHRzsyP2X0nUUHHGDtQGA0bzg9jyqXmY1FTBEqwurJIXvM0e4WFSg1iGez50k3fbQISTOCqFu9fnXF2LkYDd1SJ8vdHlb8nJ7Pd5scF62s67OvBSjasWI3DYOUMLyuXO1XHJUnwoOK2peD4m3cWkHxMm77zrJQZZIQ5Yjp9FBVrV2pI7z73/s320/IMG_7672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> Lunch was eaten at Ben's Chili Bowl, a local eatery where D.C. hospitality was highlighted!</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy3nJwIsxvekLyz9QPgZtpp-9QbVX-hs5DuqpOB7E9yysRzSRw929D15NbC0ZjWEdBUV6oegzuj9O5xs5VWMaBwgoDXUS9ns6GfPGNi1jftieDQWoH3NdamLQzj2g0taEzc-FW27XwiZx0ia-Q7vhthAzAMjxYa4XeIgJJZRwJnBuW2uNIm1uULTZ/s3456/IMG_7805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy3nJwIsxvekLyz9QPgZtpp-9QbVX-hs5DuqpOB7E9yysRzSRw929D15NbC0ZjWEdBUV6oegzuj9O5xs5VWMaBwgoDXUS9ns6GfPGNi1jftieDQWoH3NdamLQzj2g0taEzc-FW27XwiZx0ia-Q7vhthAzAMjxYa4XeIgJJZRwJnBuW2uNIm1uULTZ/s320/IMG_7805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Iowa loves Ben's Chili Bowl!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span> The afternoon was spent visiting monuments and memorials around Washington D.C. with our guide, Amy Gold. Amy has a wealth of knowledge about each and every monument and memorial and was able to tell about all of the ins and outs of Washington D.C. </span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span><span> </span>A few of the monuments and memorials visited included:</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNakPGKZbg7khHk_UUHZLnsN_iTu2eXsCIBO0PGSNebtKadV6Nxz6j1jLdFAmTwauvsDRg23_Ku6OOsS_YDdTzVbXnXaIbFrfPe-kJmMLeSoLzChgo3i0-Ljk3SGoYjbn7n7n9GnsJ2ef2dnCgYf7Qmi2Kz6kUrakWUcSwwwzMynw1UgGGHeOesbNr/s3456/IMG_7698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNakPGKZbg7khHk_UUHZLnsN_iTu2eXsCIBO0PGSNebtKadV6Nxz6j1jLdFAmTwauvsDRg23_Ku6OOsS_YDdTzVbXnXaIbFrfPe-kJmMLeSoLzChgo3i0-Ljk3SGoYjbn7n7n9GnsJ2ef2dnCgYf7Qmi2Kz6kUrakWUcSwwwzMynw1UgGGHeOesbNr/s320/IMG_7698.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">United States Air Force Memorial</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFB7ytXXVVcAgvrlr3U-UiTzXGo7FeoFoZJDCQPwjU2uKkEXeYwM5Yyu2Mrgn6Z2a21wUgn2ztoHStXCqAxAaKAJmSFjZli1ZuNX5j6mAb98XKUO3VwRGFtUjmPU9yL4oYA7C03vOH3bymfI6iN1q8h95BOJKkHNjG4qZPTSnhMO94zoJBJQwo4uQh/s3456/IMG_7926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFB7ytXXVVcAgvrlr3U-UiTzXGo7FeoFoZJDCQPwjU2uKkEXeYwM5Yyu2Mrgn6Z2a21wUgn2ztoHStXCqAxAaKAJmSFjZli1ZuNX5j6mAb98XKUO3VwRGFtUjmPU9yL4oYA7C03vOH3bymfI6iN1q8h95BOJKkHNjG4qZPTSnhMO94zoJBJQwo4uQh/s320/IMG_7926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Lincoln Memorial</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGuLoMT2_kkDkzcNpTtLyP3GJp-AG7FTZ7Jkxolyc-bggi0msu777x4BUAB1vp7iiugsPNOxs5_SaU5S3loKj7mxAHNMOHnteLZSb0bsdmF7FRbEE7KeWhQkqTXT-7sQWW1GvyohwOi08vEMXwd_ZJ1ZDq1LyHOpB6BqGVZox1Lf4JPUh6RA2NPsn/s3456/IMG_8059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGuLoMT2_kkDkzcNpTtLyP3GJp-AG7FTZ7Jkxolyc-bggi0msu777x4BUAB1vp7iiugsPNOxs5_SaU5S3loKj7mxAHNMOHnteLZSb0bsdmF7FRbEE7KeWhQkqTXT-7sQWW1GvyohwOi08vEMXwd_ZJ1ZDq1LyHOpB6BqGVZox1Lf4JPUh6RA2NPsn/s320/IMG_8059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5ySq0YvPvt564FZbNkmQmD5fcIGsMRCsLDVc3EesyA9YvOzZ4aMXqGk1mxUSNx19La7kXQT4bREapuyHgC5NNo3bubyMKo7ueCn3WGDC75326HxJmFKEvTyySVW_gnWQRhztInqjrwcryOHVulG_tBVFZvlVfibqr56ZpJhhW2Kkjw73PJ-F-H6f/s3456/IMG_8117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5ySq0YvPvt564FZbNkmQmD5fcIGsMRCsLDVc3EesyA9YvOzZ4aMXqGk1mxUSNx19La7kXQT4bREapuyHgC5NNo3bubyMKo7ueCn3WGDC75326HxJmFKEvTyySVW_gnWQRhztInqjrwcryOHVulG_tBVFZvlVfibqr56ZpJhhW2Kkjw73PJ-F-H6f/s320/IMG_8117.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thomas Jefferson Memorial</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRjBlsbK2Z-T1C9jNgH3i4lzTVD3e2ZHaDjbFp53yIlskHh5-nElnpHElo-wohZboKR3XUVLfVxyzHwKdAS0L14quLEN4BftPsQrSg7MbGuB_wDWwGfLpIgf4PKF1BiK0W5PlRMEQNRj0VahidNh9dL7ii6LDQQ123X3iq4KzTEjzzvUClZEqVZqW/s3456/IMG_7972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRjBlsbK2Z-T1C9jNgH3i4lzTVD3e2ZHaDjbFp53yIlskHh5-nElnpHElo-wohZboKR3XUVLfVxyzHwKdAS0L14quLEN4BftPsQrSg7MbGuB_wDWwGfLpIgf4PKF1BiK0W5PlRMEQNRj0VahidNh9dL7ii6LDQQ123X3iq4KzTEjzzvUClZEqVZqW/s320/IMG_7972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">World War II Memorial</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> Supper was held at Hill Country BBQ and then students headed back to the hotel to play games in the game room of the hotel and had the chance to buy snacks from the D.C. Munchie Cooperative. </span><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vNRnU6uPdjDABh4mDUwC17gfL-oQnKsP6iUQLxIIkHu8N2GtinhfdHPhCXqUjE4fqmaVEMkwK45sH72J79ZWi9oX4sooY9BOIHm46-OX75mvie7jTQza8FUv0iCdT8WMt6K8AUQRxHq83lYj5clxo5TNesaKSahIw9jsfePP1mcg6815MU0KuxMV/s3456/IMG_8180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vNRnU6uPdjDABh4mDUwC17gfL-oQnKsP6iUQLxIIkHu8N2GtinhfdHPhCXqUjE4fqmaVEMkwK45sH72J79ZWi9oX4sooY9BOIHm46-OX75mvie7jTQza8FUv0iCdT8WMt6K8AUQRxHq83lYj5clxo5TNesaKSahIw9jsfePP1mcg6815MU0KuxMV/s320/IMG_8180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Hollie Nelson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 2022 Iowa Youth Tour Intern</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span><br /></span></div><div><span> </span></div><div><p><br /></p></div>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-31479980623362995802022-06-20T20:47:00.002-05:002022-06-20T20:48:01.635-05:002022 - Iowa Youth Tour Orientation<p> Saturday, June 18, 2022</p><p><span> </span>Saturday evening students and their parents met in Des Moines, IA at the Holiday Inn where orientation took place. Students and parents listened to a presentation about the logistics and the rules of the trip. Parents then said goodbye and the students began getting to know one another by playing ice breaker games. Some of the ice breaker games included Youth Tour Bingo, I Didn't Know That and putting together puzzles with their assigned travel groups. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayn6BJTDRiTAv3eDj1exLBU1gH2Pue08WhyLQWK6SDUD9AZ6i8_jpcxPN_JPu79neZzHPFV5zDWwHJdKWFbtM-Gipe5GjAcIJMNKudzke_dCPAN9CoSzjgJWEhX_QTZ48x2Z4tsHvTOPjm007pKIBlo8dlsmE6JedAj5lhj63uEPtPDw27ksELDMv/s2048/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayn6BJTDRiTAv3eDj1exLBU1gH2Pue08WhyLQWK6SDUD9AZ6i8_jpcxPN_JPu79neZzHPFV5zDWwHJdKWFbtM-Gipe5GjAcIJMNKudzke_dCPAN9CoSzjgJWEhX_QTZ48x2Z4tsHvTOPjm007pKIBlo8dlsmE6JedAj5lhj63uEPtPDw27ksELDMv/s320/IMG_1025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> Students then took advantage of the opportunity to write a letter to veterans who will soon receive the note on an upcoming Honor Flight. All students wrote at least one and some of the kids even wrote two or three!</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXrI0n8JNl-i_gCyrK1hzhgPxcHbnXq-Pbk9qoB8gK1GOEA_J44Lv3T_qSIEu_o1EGnWF0i5Zu09cVzSYQTAdvUkMhv083kDVecfYyNikTuMaD58lfNPD_JoFlSQDsNFWO2ys8DjMoiJn_d1lUTU1zMXGQ52ChvdpLYAAEKRzwSij5TxsMCpPq4jq/s2048/IMG_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXrI0n8JNl-i_gCyrK1hzhgPxcHbnXq-Pbk9qoB8gK1GOEA_J44Lv3T_qSIEu_o1EGnWF0i5Zu09cVzSYQTAdvUkMhv083kDVecfYyNikTuMaD58lfNPD_JoFlSQDsNFWO2ys8DjMoiJn_d1lUTU1zMXGQ52ChvdpLYAAEKRzwSij5TxsMCpPq4jq/s320/IMG_1013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span> </span>The night ended with the formation of the D.C. Munchie Cooperative. Each student paid $1 to join and bought a $5 punch card to be able to begin buying snacks from the cooperative. Additionally, a delegating committee hired a board of directors, which was then followed by the placement of a CEO, who was voted in by all of the members of the newly formed cooperative. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><span><span> </span>This cooperative is run by the students for the week where it provides them the chance to buy snacks at a substantially lower price than normal. This cooperative program also gives students insight into how an electric cooperative runs and serves its member-owners back home in Iowa, and across the U.S. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRR8utlzxySZdkBahmOKrMqaeHhzWnN0Nm7k-6nW3l09OoL-cpaQ2XswhnB76LrS8fEdo0oZqmncRxSkKasG3RQt_uI2-QJoBFIaPwTeJSckv2D_xiAT3G17oduGHdHbpZQYnenKsbxRtsMuyOKk3HDyPerA_5zTiAwIOS-7JtMW2GWesgxmHbo9S/s2048/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRR8utlzxySZdkBahmOKrMqaeHhzWnN0Nm7k-6nW3l09OoL-cpaQ2XswhnB76LrS8fEdo0oZqmncRxSkKasG3RQt_uI2-QJoBFIaPwTeJSckv2D_xiAT3G17oduGHdHbpZQYnenKsbxRtsMuyOKk3HDyPerA_5zTiAwIOS-7JtMW2GWesgxmHbo9S/s320/IMG_0985.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzKg9fu_4bgGzPTOw6GLKlN_crIOoaiOR2dASqDa8ikMXMmixvJD5NLuMCXrAozweWnutPpTo6RxBeOTOHkRzopFQOoX-s3B4Og300z_Wg0kSV6VVUjuPAz2JrPnccvEWsk1kF07kl6aT16m8v-HLhwMDEW1i3SMPf1W-qqfRifQB8ql0eNcmkY2A/s2048/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzKg9fu_4bgGzPTOw6GLKlN_crIOoaiOR2dASqDa8ikMXMmixvJD5NLuMCXrAozweWnutPpTo6RxBeOTOHkRzopFQOoX-s3B4Og300z_Wg0kSV6VVUjuPAz2JrPnccvEWsk1kF07kl6aT16m8v-HLhwMDEW1i3SMPf1W-qqfRifQB8ql0eNcmkY2A/s320/IMG_1032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2WhK3er3vM6uvcl23mlGxMLUKkXO-X-_Uv_LJuss2COkaMlarUB56rH7_cmm27wyf6cbdKXDKoUyyArWXNKWknMxGN1_zFRj3GXyGjOLW6ZWD2iCHeh-4Tfaegtl9JpLK8nQszb9Vfe7ynlPXAtk6TjDpHRBHWdSeiRMPemT04Q9D9VqitLlsu37/s2048/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2WhK3er3vM6uvcl23mlGxMLUKkXO-X-_Uv_LJuss2COkaMlarUB56rH7_cmm27wyf6cbdKXDKoUyyArWXNKWknMxGN1_zFRj3GXyGjOLW6ZWD2iCHeh-4Tfaegtl9JpLK8nQszb9Vfe7ynlPXAtk6TjDpHRBHWdSeiRMPemT04Q9D9VqitLlsu37/s320/IMG_0953.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">- Hollie Nelson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 2022 Iowa Youth Tour Intern</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><br /><p><br /></p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-21965949761203367072022-06-10T09:15:00.004-05:002022-06-10T10:51:33.139-05:00You up for the challenge?<p> <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I know we haven’t even left yet for Youth Tour, but let’s
talk about when we get back! We’ve got a challenge for you!<b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnI4boahe4yO4M-PxJOTDjXAK4pJg-ZLlSfiejoKqWGeuhNFvjUtlLO0JIc9NOULTY7WcuT1ROL30w9NCRfHh9inYIpuX_Rp-L9Oj2UVHz3UfN3KHVr0h_n6y-t1GS6T-yQP2is1M4wgYUYgNYOaCmmef5qhz-Pv8lCv0xW38A_3cLjk04Kwthgcbu/s264/OIP.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="264" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnI4boahe4yO4M-PxJOTDjXAK4pJg-ZLlSfiejoKqWGeuhNFvjUtlLO0JIc9NOULTY7WcuT1ROL30w9NCRfHh9inYIpuX_Rp-L9Oj2UVHz3UfN3KHVr0h_n6y-t1GS6T-yQP2is1M4wgYUYgNYOaCmmef5qhz-Pv8lCv0xW38A_3cLjk04Kwthgcbu/w200-h136/OIP.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Challenge:</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Besides thanking your cooperative for investing in you and sending
you to DC, we’d like for each student to schedule a meeting with their
cooperative <b>after</b> the trip. It could be with the Youth Tour Coordinator,
Manager or even a member of the board. Simply sit down and have a conversation.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How does this work?</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Contact the person at the cooperative that you worked with on your
Youth Tour application. Tell them you want to schedule a meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Show up for the meeting. On time. Be
polite. Business casual attire. After THANKING them for sending you on YT and
taking this meeting, have a few questions ready to start the conversation. Can
be things like: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I’m curious, how can we get youth more involved with the co-op?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Does the cooperative offer internship programs and possible future
employment?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">How does the cooperative attract board members/employees?<o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Be prepared with ideas on how to better
promote the Youth Tour program.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The meeting will probably be 30 minutes
or less.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Thank them for their time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I’ll have a form for you to fill out and
return to me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">It’s worth it!</span></b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Everyone that does this assignment, will get their name put into a
drawing. One person will win a $100 American Express gift card, 2 people will
win a $50 American Express gift cards and 4 will win a $25 American Express
gift cards.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I’m looking forward to hearing about your meetings!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Shelly<o:p></o:p></span></p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-57057136260715688452022-05-29T19:00:00.013-05:002022-05-29T19:00:00.169-05:00ad·vice | guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action | NOUN<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7ncqFqK1gOaiyGLYaOl1E7zeazHj5fgvfULhtcOEW6Jllb92qx_nRitZBEG7Znz2pKOI9WfVVvQ3uLVsu-Nz0kB8CEaHDjproCScAYtvsp2P4deYAHKINUjnpVpPukdin-sLjMePwdIwtKlDE5JaIgKhV3z1Cy8aXwsGnRNm2qL3NxwD3bxi-MQN/s1080/Our%20BEST%20Advice!.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7ncqFqK1gOaiyGLYaOl1E7zeazHj5fgvfULhtcOEW6Jllb92qx_nRitZBEG7Znz2pKOI9WfVVvQ3uLVsu-Nz0kB8CEaHDjproCScAYtvsp2P4deYAHKINUjnpVpPukdin-sLjMePwdIwtKlDE5JaIgKhV3z1Cy8aXwsGnRNm2qL3NxwD3bxi-MQN/w265-h265/Our%20BEST%20Advice!.png" width="265" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From time to time, I ask Youth Tour alumni what they wished they
knew BEFORE they went on the big trip. Here’s some of the things they said …<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Get out of your comfort zone!</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Easy to say, but not always easy to
do. But, if you give it a shot, you won’t regret it. On Youth Tour you get to see
and do some pretty cool things. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! I promise
you won’t regret it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stay hydrated.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Honestly, this is simply good life advice,
but when we are in DC, it will be warm, and we are on the move a lot. Please be
sure to drink plenty of water. We will have water on the bus for you, so there’s
really no excuse not to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Arrive well rested.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> We have a very busy schedule. There’s
no sleeping in, so sleep while you can (before you arrive!).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Comfortable shoes are essential.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Be good to your feet, please. We will
walk 5-10 miles a day. (Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUtnp8ibLVs&feature=youtu.be">Tour
Tip Thursday, Week One</a> for more details!) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be ready to meet new people.</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> The best part of Youth Tour is the
people. Get to know your fellow Iowa YTers and the students from the other
states. Who knows were these contacts will take you! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And, if you haven’t read our <a href="https://www.iowarec.org/youth-tour/youth-tour-2022">Iowa Youth Tour 2022
News</a>, be sure to check that out too!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As always, contact us if you have any questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shelly York<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Iowa Youth Tour Director<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="color: #6d6d6d; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref_type=bookmark"><span style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Facebook Page</span></a>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl"><span style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl</span></a> <br /></span><span style="color: #6d6d6d;">Follow us on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour"><span style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</span></a><span style="color: #6d6d6d;">: </span><a href="https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour"><span style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour</span></a> <br /><span style="color: #6d6d6d;">Follow us on </span><a href="http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour"><span style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</span></a><span style="color: #6d6d6d;">: </span><a href="http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour"><span style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour</span></a> <br /><span style="color: #6d6d6d;">Check us out on
Snapchat: iowayouthtour <br /></span><span style="color: #6d6d6d;">Check us out on TikTok:
iowayouthtour</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-17375561958948473082022-05-19T12:37:00.002-05:002022-05-19T12:37:36.411-05:00We are a month out from Youth Tour!<p>It’s hard to believe, but in a month, we will be touring around
our nation’s capital! Here are a few things you should do to be prepared!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>1 – Download the Yapp app.</b> We are always working on
our touring schedule. The most updated version is accessible by downloading the
app called Yapp and then searching for the Iowa Youth Tour event. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>2 – Make sure you are in our Remind group.</b> We use an
app to communicate while in DC. It’s called <a href="https://www.remind.com/apps">Remind</a>. Please take a minute and
download it. Many schools use this same app, so you may already have it on your
phone. If you need me to resend you the invite to join the group, just let me
know.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>3 – Review the “Iowa Youth Tour 2022 News” webpage</b> (<a href="https://www.iowarec.org/youth-tour/youth-tour-2022">https://www.iowarec.org/youth-tour/youth-tour-2022</a>).
And, while you are there, if you haven’t watched the Tour Tip Thursday videos,
be sure to check them out! Pay close attention to the dress code rules!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>4 – Watch your mail!</b> As we mentioned in the COVID information/waiver
(https://www.iowarec.org/youth-tour/iowa-youth-tour-student-information-form),
out of an abundance of caution we are mailing all Youth Tour parents/guardians a
COVID rapid test to administer to their student prior to heading to DC. Anytime
72 hours before the June 18 orientation, please take this quick test. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">It goes without saying that if
the test comes back positive, contact me ASAP and we will need to address the
issue. If the test is negative, we’re good to go!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We will also be sending you your YT t-shirts in the mail
too.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>5 – Follow us on social media!<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour">Twitter</a>: @IowaYouthTour<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/iowayouthtour/">Instagram</a>:
iowayouthtour<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Snapchat: IowaYouthTour<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">TikTok: iowayouthtour<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour">Facebook</a>:
Iowa Youth Tour<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2022 Iowa Youth Tour Facebook Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/944673249770839">https://www.facebook.com/groups/944673249770839</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>6 – We’ll see you at orientation!<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">June 18, 6 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">Holiday
Inn – Airport *updated location*</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6111 Fleur Dr., Des Moines<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s all for now! Let me know if you have ANY questions! <a href="mailto:syork@iowarec.org">syork@iowarec.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Shelly York<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Iowa Youth Tour Director<o:p></o:p></p>Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-35519809741782490852019-06-20T16:36:00.000-05:002019-06-20T19:49:46.178-05:00Youth Tour 2019 ... in the books!Wednesday, June 19th, 2019
<br />
<br />
Our last day in Washington DC started with breakfast being delivered to our rooms. We got dressed in our red polos and headed to Capitol Hill. We started out by getting photos in front of the capitol building. Dalton Schmit, 2012 Iowa Youth Tourer, stopped by and talked with the students. He now works for Facebook in Texas. The students had fun quizzing him about current Facebook policy topics. We then spilt into our congressional districts and met with each of our House Representatives. The students were able to engage and cover a variety of current political topics with their legislators.
<br />
<br />
Next, we took a guided tour of the US. Capitol building led by staff members from Senators Grassley and Ernst’s offices. Lunch was held at the NRECA townhouse, which is just a short walk from the Capitol Hill. We had pizza and cooled off in the A/C. Following lunch, we all visited the Library of Congress. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst met with the group on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building in front of the Senate Chambers. The Senators fielded many questions and everyone seemed to have a really good time. This experience really immerses them in politics and personalizes the process.
<br />
<br />
The Embassy of Portugal agreed to host the Iowa Youth Tour group. They allowed us to tour their embassy. Additionally, they had a diplomat that talked to the students about Portugal and the EU.
<br />
<br />
The evening was spent at the Newseum where all the states came together for a farewell event. The Newseum was privately rented for Youth Tour. With close to 2,000 people in this museum, there were a lot of memories made and more pin trading. The Newseum highlights the importance of the first amendment.
<br />
<br />
We arrived back at the hotel around 9 pm. The snack co-op held its annual meeting and the chaperones gave out awards to each of the students. The night ended with lots of tears and emotions as the students talked about their experiences and newly formed friendships over the last week. Will won the Amazon gift card for the most collected pins.
<br />
<br />
Today, Thursday, June 20th, the wake-up call was at 5:00 am and we took one last bus ride with Rob to the airport. This trip has truly been an amazing experience for the students and they will have the memories and friendships for a lifetime. It has been fun to be a chaperone and to view the trip from a different perspective. Rural Electrical Cooperatives are a necessity for our communities and they are consistently giving back to their members. On behalf of the students and myself thank you to all the cooperatives that sponsored students. Additionally, thank you, Shelly, for your hard work and organizing such a great trip. Welcome back to Iowa everyone!
<br />
<br />
Clayton Merritt
<br />
Youth Tour Intern
Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-65656562710176222172019-06-18T19:54:00.000-05:002019-06-18T19:54:24.713-05:00Another busy day in the US Capital!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Tuesday,
June 18th, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">We had our
last breakfast at Crystal City Pub Grill. From there we headed to the National
Cathedral. This building is magnificent and the second largest cathedral in the
United States. After the National Cathedral, we enjoyed sack lunches on the
bus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">We took a
tour of Ford’s Theater, where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Right across
the street from Ford’s Theater is Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Everyone really
seemed to enjoy this stop with lots of opportunity for fun photos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
Arlington National Cemetery was our next stop. Shelly says this is her favorite
stop on the entire trip. It is such an honor to be able to pay tribute to all
of our service members that have made sacrifices to ensure our nation’s safety.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24/7, 365 days a year. We were able
to watch the changing of the guards twice. Additionally, Ellie, Sabrina, Jacob,
and Jack had the honor of laying a wreath at the tomb. They conducted
themselves very professionally and represented Iowa Youth Tour very well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Dinner was
had at the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl. Part of our meal was bottomless chili
cheese fries and a milkshake. Ben’s Chili Bowl is a historical restaurant that
has had many visits from prominent figures such as Barack Obama, Jimmy Fallon,
and Bruno Mars. We took a group photo in front of the diner with the late
owner's wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Unfortunately,
it started to rain and the planned sunset parade was canceled. However, the
rain didn’t stop us and we headed from dinner to the Pentagon to view the 9/11
memorial. Shelly, the great planner, had ponchos for everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">We called
it a day and went back to the hotel. Due to the planned rain overnight, Senator
Grassley had to cancel his 3 mile run with the students tomorrow morning. It is
very unfortunate, but everyone will have the chance to meet with their
congressional representatives tomorrow on Capitol Hill. We are coming to the
end of our trip with one full day left in Washington D.C. These young adults
have conducted themselves well and represented all their cooperatives
respectively. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clayton
Merritt, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Youth Tour
Intern<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-36951463719931387062019-06-18T06:41:00.001-05:002019-06-18T06:41:36.727-05:00What a GREAT day! <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Monday, June 17th, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">There were a lot of long, tired
faces in the lobby this morning. However, after breakfast, coffee, and a little
bus choir practice, everyone perked up. Rob drove us to the Lincoln Memorial
after breakfast at Crystal City Sports Pub. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The Lincoln Memorial and the Korean
Memorial are near each other. We visited both and took many pictures. While at
the Lincoln Memorial, the United States Marine Corps were having drill
practice. Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where some of our
country's greatest leaders have stood, is such a historical view of our nation
that gives you chills (even when it’s 90 degrees and humid). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Since it was very windy our first
day, Shelly was able to reschedule our paddle boat rides on the Tidal Basin.
The students loaded the paddle boats and spent the better part of an hour on
the water. For anyone that thinks paddle boating is easy, think again. It’s a
workout! Everyone was getting their daily dose of sunshine today!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">From the paddle boats, we spent the
better part of the day in small groups touring The National Mall. The National
Mall is the location of Washington D.C.’s most popular museums like the
Smithsonian’s, and many of the most iconic monuments. In conjunction with the
Lincoln Memorial, all the student toured the relatively new National Museum of
African American History and Culture. This museum highlighted the importance of
African American culture and their hard-pressed battle to fight oppression.
Following the African American Museum, the students visited a variety of
museums such as The National Air and Space Museum & The Smithsonian
National Museum of Natural History. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">We all came back together to go
through the National Archives Museum where our nation’s founding documents are
kept and displayed. Yet, the most “humbling and eye-opening” experience that
everyone had today was visiting the Holocaust Museum. Thoughts about the
Holocaust Museum are hard to put into words, but this particular memorial pulls
the heartstrings and 100% humanizes this awful part of our history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Rob picked us up at the Holocaust
museum and drove us back to the hotel. We had dinner back at the hotel with
about a thousand other youth tour students from many other states. (there are
about 1,800 youth tour students out here in total plus 200 chaperones) Texas
brings the most students, about 150. Whereas, Alaska only sends one student. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The next journey for the everyone
was Youth Tour Day held right here in the basement of our hotel. This event
included many uplifting, empowering, and inspirational speakers that coincided
with this year’s theme; ELEVATE. We were able to hear from NRECA’s CEO (Jim
Matheson), a line worker that has been to Haiti twice to help build electrical
cooperatives in the poverty-stricken area, and our very one Sarah Herz had some
stage time as she introduced herself as this year’s Youth Leadership Council
delegate from Iowa. The final motivational speaker was Mike Schlappi. Mike was
paralyzed from the waist down from as a teenager after being accidentally shot
by his friend. Mike tells his story about how he went on to graduate college,
win 4 Olympic medals, and many other extraordinary achievements. I would really
suggest looking him up on YouTube and watching one of his motivational
speeches, he may change your life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">FUN FACT: Apple CEO, Tim Cook, went
on Youth Tour when he was in high school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The students ended the day with
more pin trading. Whenever any student sees a student from another state, they
swarm each other and begin to trade pins. It truly is a neat experience and the
world’s best ice breaker. If you didn’t know any better, you would think that
the Iowa students grew up together, that is how close they have become on this
trip. In fact, they are already planning reunions. Lifelong memories are being
made but best of all these young adults are forming friendships that will last
a lifetime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Clayton Merritt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Youth Tour Intern<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">
<b>Follow us!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref_type=bookmark" style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook Page</a>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl" style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Check us out on Snapchat: iowayouthtour</div>
Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-37991069086239536542019-06-16T21:10:00.001-05:002019-06-16T21:10:34.742-05:00Happy Father's Day!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Sunday,
June 16th, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Day 3 in
DC started with breakfast at Crystal City Pub Grill. Rob, the bus driver, ate
breakfast with us and we headed to the Albert Einstein Memorial. At the
Einstein Memorial, we took a group photo. We then walked across the street to
the Vietnam Memorial. The students were able to find the names of fallen
soldiers that are from their home towns. Once the names were located, the
students did a rubbing of the name to transfer the name over to a piece of
paper. Additionally, on Father’s Day each year they pass out roses to be laid
at the memorial. The students described the experience as breathtaking and left
them speechless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Following
the Vietnam Memorial, we headed to Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s plantation.
The students gained firsthand experience of colonial life and how the first
president lived. We took a guided tour through George Washington’s mansion. We
ended up spending 3 hours there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Rob picked
us up with the air conditioning on full blast. It was hot and sunny today.
Shelly had a surprise for the students at the next stop, The National Harbor.
They got to ride the giant Ferris wheel that had a very scenic view over the
city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">After
spending some time at the harbor, we headed across the bridge to Alexandria for
a 3-hour boat cruise. Iowa joined the South Dakota, South Carolina, Kansas, and
Hawaii groups. This boat cruise was a giant party with food and great music. The
students laughed and danced until they were sweaty messes. Iowa and South
Carolina had a dance off, Jack rocked it. You can find a short clip of the
cruise on Facebook. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The night
ended with showers for everyone and playing cards with the other states in the
game room at the hotel. I did not do any dancing, but I am exhausted from
watching them, so I am signing off and going to bed. I am not sure who is
currently winning the pin collecting contest, but I imagine Will remains in the
lead. I guess he has formed an alliance with a couple of students, so he had
triple the amount of Iowa pins and corn necklace to trade. We have an early start
tomorrow with a wake-up call at 6:15 am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Clayton
Merritt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Youth Tour
Intern<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #6d6d6d; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">
<b>Follow us!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-52325311163545741772019-06-15T21:30:00.001-05:002019-06-15T21:30:05.212-05:00Our first FULL day in DC!<br />
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Saturday, June 15th, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">6:45 am came early. We headed over to the Crystal City Pub &
Grill where we ate a delicious breakfast buffet. Rob met us with the bus and we
drove over to The National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico. One of the
students brought a Bluetooth speaker which led to a lot of group singing on the
way to Quantico. We have a lot of talented singers! The students spent 2 hours
touring the exhibits at the Marine Corps. It was honestly breathtaking walking
through all the different war exhibits and seeing the sacrifice and bravery of
so many marines. We ate a sack lunch within the National Museum of the Marine
Corps at Devil Dog Diner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Following the Marine Corps was the Navy Memorial, where we
took a lot of pictures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">We then went and paid tribute to the nation’s fallen police
officers at the National Law Enforcement Memorial. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">We spend the entire afternoon with Amy Gold. Amy Gold is a
must-have in the world of tour guides. She is witty, quirky and very
knowledgeable about Washington D.C. Amy took us on a very detailed and
enjoyable tour of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, WWII Memorial, the Martin
Luther King Jr Memorial, and the Iwo Jima Memorial. Additionally, we spent time
outside of Capital Hill and The National Mall. While at the MLK Memorial, we
were able to meet service members from Texas that were on an Honor Flight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">We dropped Amy off around 6 pm and headed to the Union
Station food court for dinner. Everyone was able to browse the different
options. After
supper, we headed back to the hotel for a night of games and more mingling with
other state groups. Shelly, DJ, and Zach conducted the Youth Leadership
Council (YLC) interviews. YLC is an opportunity for a student from each state
to return to further develop their leadership
skills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Throughout the day, we met other Youth Tour groups from
Kansas, Hawaii, Mississippi, California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, and Utah.
Each state has state-specific pins that the students trade. The goal is to
collect the most pins from other states. At the end of the trip, the person
with the most pins earns a $50 Amazon gift card. However, Iowa Youth Tourer's
have a bargaining advantage with yellow corn necklaces and state pins. So far,
Will Rasmussen from the Pella Cooperative Electric Association is winning the
pin challenge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">If you guys didn’t catch on from the Facebook videos, we had
a LOT of great singing on the bus rides. I think when we get back home these
students should come together to form a 2019 Youth Tour Choir. Although
Washington D.C. is really fun, we are all looking forward to sleeping in till
7:30 am tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Clayton Merritt <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: AppleSystemUIFont; mso-bidi-font-family: AppleSystemUIFont;">Youth Tour Intern</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-70142912553187403802019-06-15T06:08:00.000-05:002019-06-15T11:50:35.999-05:00We've arrived in DC!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Friday,
June 14th, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Wow, what
a busy last 30 hours! Yesterday we spent the evening at the Holiday Inn going
over the trip details, playing games, forming the Snack Cooperative (which is a
big deal), saying goodbye to the parents, and getting to know each other. After
a short sleep, we departed the hotel at 4:30 am and headed to the airport. For
many of the students, this was their first time flying. However, we made it
through security and boarded our plane without a hitch. We had a two-hour
layover in St. Louis and arrived at the Reagan National Airport a little after
12 pm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">As a
group, we met up with Rob Taylor, our bus driver. Rob is a Maryland State
Trooper and takes a week off each year to drive a tour bus for the Iowa Youth
Tour group. Rob had already picked up subway sandwiches for everyone, so we
loaded the bus, ate our lunch, and headed to the White House. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Rob
dropped us off at the White House. The students walked down Pennsylvania Avenue
and had a chance to get photos of the north side of the White House. A big
group photo was taken and is posted on Facebook! After the White House, we
headed back to the bus. Rob then drove us to The American Veterans Disabled for
Life Memorial. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">After we
visited The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, Shelly York handed
out flyers with a photo scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt was a two-hour long
adventure of posing in front of certain monuments, solving riddles, and even
making human pyramids!! It was a good chance for the individual groups of 7 or
8 to bond and get to know each other better. The scavenger hunt took place at
The National Mall. It provided the students with the first previews of some of
the museums. Following the scavenger hunt, we were supposed to paddle boat on
the Tidal Basin. Unfortunately, mother nature had other plans. The gusty winds
were causing rough waters, so the paddle boats were closed for the day. Have no
fear, Shelly is awesome and has rescheduled the activity for Monday!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">We walked
around the Tidal Basin and visited the Jefferson Memorial. Following the
Jefferson Memorial, Rob drove us to Hill Country BBQ. At Hill County BBQ we had
a family style dinner that consisted of BBQ chicken sandwiches, macaroni and
cheese, coleslaw, and cookies. The meal was recommended by one of our
chaperones, Haley Moon. It was delicious and filling. Once again, Rob loaded us
back up and bussed the group over to the U.S. Air Force Memorial. While at the
Air Force Memorial, service members were putting on a free concert and they
sounded AMAZING. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">We arrived
at our hotel around 7:30 pm. The snack cooperative board members went to the
local store to purchase snacks. We spent the rest of the evening in a privately
rented room playing games and just having fun. As it got closer to 10 pm,
everyone started to wear down and looked like they were ready for bed. I
suggest getting some sleep, wakeup call is at 6:45 am!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Clayton
Merritt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Youth Tour
Intern<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
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Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-84372081138056011472019-06-03T08:44:00.000-05:002019-06-03T08:44:04.101-05:00Guest Blogger > Clayton Merritt<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VOawf0kslUTS0Fmx6RwDIMK9Lwb_rkBQRC0_bmjPDKD-jfwmIFt_m0gyKBJM2Aj_3Kjv96aJanqcxsFAaCPRm3C9DfG-V3trcFpUJwpke122AXQDoecr6iawIYtHB45jSm0jdghX-Zc/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VOawf0kslUTS0Fmx6RwDIMK9Lwb_rkBQRC0_bmjPDKD-jfwmIFt_m0gyKBJM2Aj_3Kjv96aJanqcxsFAaCPRm3C9DfG-V3trcFpUJwpke122AXQDoecr6iawIYtHB45jSm0jdghX-Zc/s200/1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hey everyone! We are now counting down the days
until we depart Iowa for Washington DC! Oh, how thing have changed since the
first group of students embarked on this incredible journey in 1958! One thing
that hasn’t changed is the amount of fun and opportunity that this trip has
presented students each year since. Being a youth tour alum, I remember the
excitement and nervousness about this upcoming trip. You were selected for this
trip because you all display citizenship, community involvement, academic
achievement, and an interest in history and politics. These personality types
mix well. I can tell you from experience that you will have no problem
developing and maintaining friendship during this trip! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_G26y0CADBzJY42D5ue7_daRef_yzYnSJs6pg7neHul7_UYuNx1nBUJLXLEOAy75mMkVPXLK23ekw9OqbELgKdh-WFB0lx7WI583lBmGq7-24j_heTq0D4MBu9iRz7nhNwX_oarN5No/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="436" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_G26y0CADBzJY42D5ue7_daRef_yzYnSJs6pg7neHul7_UYuNx1nBUJLXLEOAy75mMkVPXLK23ekw9OqbELgKdh-WFB0lx7WI583lBmGq7-24j_heTq0D4MBu9iRz7nhNwX_oarN5No/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0tv7Nif2B1FtLK13pKTi1ZpXIzS1t5EIPHRx_kTkgqvu2qUXHc-crQ570JK7HsueXPh8TV_XmF_QxJQI_W13TXIjhAC-YrZiJhGr-pm2fkRO0vy0H16OmBDyuM7-YdMZLgKitXHBQjE/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0tv7Nif2B1FtLK13pKTi1ZpXIzS1t5EIPHRx_kTkgqvu2qUXHc-crQ570JK7HsueXPh8TV_XmF_QxJQI_W13TXIjhAC-YrZiJhGr-pm2fkRO0vy0H16OmBDyuM7-YdMZLgKitXHBQjE/s200/3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During the summer of 2012; I was headed into my
senior year of high school, working a part-time job, studying for my ACT, and
oh yeah... gearing up for Youth Tour!! I had no idea the trip I was getting
ready to take would change my outlook on life, form new friendships, and deepen
my interests in history and politics. I remember meeting at the Magnuson Hotel
the night before we flew out for orientation. I had been to orientations before
(long and boring). This was unlike any orientation I had ever been to, it was a
night filled with games, conversation and truly getting to know the people that
we were going to be spending the next week with. Your Youth Tour Director,
Shelly York, has a way about herself that will put everyone at ease. We flew
out the next morning and well the rest is history. You learn about the
monuments, landmarks, cemeteries, and museums in textbooks and on TV. However,
you can never really appreciate the sacrifice and dedication that many
historical figures made to ensure the success of future generation until you’ve
seen these places in person. You will be able to connect your knowledge of
cooperatives and the need to continuously advocate on their behalf. The wax
museum, jogging with Senator Grassley, visiting the White House, spending a day
on Capitol Hill, and paddle boating on the Potomac River are a few of my
favorite memories from this trip. I could type a mile-long page about all the
fun I had on Youth Tour. Now, it’s your turn! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am excited to go back again and can’t wait to
see how this trip will transform each and every one of you!! Additionally,
bring your walking shoes and deodorant as there is a lot of ground to cover and
lots to see! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Clayton Merritt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Youth Tour Intern<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-9907058233925831892019-05-30T14:52:00.000-05:002019-05-30T14:52:02.085-05:00DC Munchie Cooperative - Quality Snacks at an Affordable Price!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbX1zrTBitt8mO3WhJRzCpd9mbrQ6_HpE9GR5j0JdTOQpVuZ_sKNhsvJMswHwUOpEp51ptrz2vbC4vbH21MeDiCqwHcAv5nsPkdC68gykE_QJWPYMVAUbjITEVbQISyCGXgBcLVHl1JM/s1600/Logo-1+DC+Munchie+Coop+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1600" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbX1zrTBitt8mO3WhJRzCpd9mbrQ6_HpE9GR5j0JdTOQpVuZ_sKNhsvJMswHwUOpEp51ptrz2vbC4vbH21MeDiCqwHcAv5nsPkdC68gykE_QJWPYMVAUbjITEVbQISyCGXgBcLVHl1JM/s320/Logo-1+DC+Munchie+Coop+Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Youth
Tour is many (MANY!!) things including an opportunity to see all kinds of sites
in DC, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a chance to meet with our elected
officials, occasions for students to network with others from all over the
country and the ability to </span><span class="A3"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">walk away with a greater understanding of our role as an
American citizen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Did
you know that Iowa Youth Tour offers students the chance to be hands on when it
comes to running a cooperative? Iowa Youth Tour forms and runs our very own
cooperative, which will provide drinks (other than water – H20 is readily
available and free for the students!) and snacks for our Youth Tour
participants. This project is educational and practical and accomplishes two
things. First, it provides drinks/snacks at discount prices (everything in
Washington is so expensive) and it teaches everyone about starting and
operating a cooperative and being a co-op “member owner.”</span></div>
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Our co-op is very similar to your electric or other local member-owned
cooperatives. The main difference is that our co-op will provide pop, Gatorade
and snacks for the co-op members (us) – while we are on the trip.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">If
you are one of the fortunate ones going on this year’s trip, get involved in
YOUR cooperative! Watching from afar? Check out our social media platforms and follow
us!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shelly York<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Iowa Youth Tour
Director<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Follow us!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref_type=bookmark"><span style="color: #7db5d3;">Facebook Page</span></a>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl"><span style="color: #7db5d3;">https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour"><span style="color: #7db5d3;">Twitter</span></a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour"><span style="color: #7db5d3;">https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Follow us on <a href="http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour"><span style="color: #7db5d3;">Instagram</span></a>: <a href="http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour"><span style="color: #7db5d3;">http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6d6d6d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Check us out on
Snapchat: iowayouthtour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-81831136764097643992019-05-21T14:07:00.000-05:002019-05-21T14:07:05.461-05:00You’ll want to read this!<br />
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We surveyed some of the best Youth Tour minds out there and
came up with some advice for the newest crop of YTers!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ready? Here ya go!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<ol>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcxMyq-adhAeK4Ev06kNC-DEP6bPeltSMh5chOaITK-1MTwWwHTSn9UCxdhaSs8lwsFtrWVQh5e8tcb_X3qH8xv2Ec6g1DiHXOYvPDm0vzMQExHu0tJlf3GpdU-XZV79SATP15ONugSw/s1600/Cyril-Huze-Advice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="385" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcxMyq-adhAeK4Ev06kNC-DEP6bPeltSMh5chOaITK-1MTwWwHTSn9UCxdhaSs8lwsFtrWVQh5e8tcb_X3qH8xv2Ec6g1DiHXOYvPDm0vzMQExHu0tJlf3GpdU-XZV79SATP15ONugSw/s200/Cyril-Huze-Advice.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li>Know the rules and stick to them!</li>
<li>Be on time! Every time.</li>
<li>Make sure you have the Grupio app downloaded (it has our
schedule) and you are part of our Remind group!</li>
<li>On Facebook? Join the 2019 Iowa Youth Tour group (parents
welcome!)</li>
<li>Keep hydrated in DC! We will have water available. We keep a
couple coolers on the bus full of cold water and will be pushing you to drink
water all day, every day.</li>
<li>Arrive for Youth Tour well rested and be prepared to WALK!
The average day goes from about 7 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. Yes, this is a long
day, and you will be on the go a lot, however, no one ever wishes they had
slept more during Youth Tour.</li>
<li>If you don’t feel well, tell a chaperone. There are two
nurses on call 24-hours a day during Youth Tour.</li>
<li>Wear comfortable shoes – we cannot say this enough!</li>
<li>Know your number! All students will get assigned a number.
All you have to do is remember your number (it is listed in our app). Each time
we leave someplace we count off. Never left anyone behind … don’t plan to
this year either!</li>
<li>Get to know everyone! There are NO cliques on Youth Tour! </li>
<li>Talk to the chaperones. They are awesome! And, they have
connection that might be very helpful when you are looking for an internship or
even a job!</li>
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Shelly York<o:p></o:p></div>
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Iowa Youth Tour Director<o:p></o:p></div>
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Follow us!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref_type=bookmark" style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">Facebook Page</a>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl" style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour" style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">Twitter</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour" style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Follow us on <a href="http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour" style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">Instagram</a>: <a href="http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour" style="color: #7db5d3; text-decoration-line: none;">http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Check us out on Snapchat: iowayouthtour</div>
Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2715164485182962533.post-31778099315725287132019-05-14T11:25:00.000-05:002019-05-14T11:25:03.218-05:00No place better to start than from the beginning<br />
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For those of us that are intimately familiar with Youth
Tour, we often forget that not everyone is up to speed on the ins and outs of
this incredible program. So, this little history lesson is for YOU!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlV78ByGXbijxMgiuCxH0TQLBa08jE7WUiEwbIcZRaBM6IKOJ6ndj3XGFXDH2o9-Gy6RxLp7mlP9qQlJ_F9TAy_uEtCygRzku5O5q7NW5Qycd7MDFlh4T5uABVAYt3SGQnhPPku7fiKY/s1600/121733_053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1600" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlV78ByGXbijxMgiuCxH0TQLBa08jE7WUiEwbIcZRaBM6IKOJ6ndj3XGFXDH2o9-Gy6RxLp7mlP9qQlJ_F9TAy_uEtCygRzku5O5q7NW5Qycd7MDFlh4T5uABVAYt3SGQnhPPku7fiKY/s200/121733_053.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iowa Youth Tour 1958 at the White House</td></tr>
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Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson inspired the Youth Tour when
he addressed the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA)
Annual Meeting in Chicago in 1957. The Senator and future president declared,
“If one thing comes out of this meeting, it will be sending youngsters to the
national capital where they can actually see what the flag stands for and
represents.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCfXUewATK343EDWH-K-UoG9JCkL79Anl1KGDVljOaVfMvTNQiValGp_KeJ4dfN24yFUhuqjfhvQxyjWBNqCQjiyOCQ3oN2yy5-A_ANExaw2fR1TVjCIfVa992mTqAWuP93wwAMeJqp4/s1600/121733_019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1600" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCfXUewATK343EDWH-K-UoG9JCkL79Anl1KGDVljOaVfMvTNQiValGp_KeJ4dfN24yFUhuqjfhvQxyjWBNqCQjiyOCQ3oN2yy5-A_ANExaw2fR1TVjCIfVa992mTqAWuP93wwAMeJqp4/s200/121733_019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Capitol</td></tr>
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Consequently, some Texas electric cooperatives sent groups
of young people to Washington to work during the summer in Senator Johnson’s office.
In 1958, Iowa’s rural electric cooperatives (YES! IOWA!) sponsored the first
group of 34 young people on a week-long study tour of our nation’s capital.
Later that same year, another busload came to Washington from Illinois. The
idea grew and other states sent busloads of young people throughout the summer.
By 1959, the “Youth Tour” had grown to 130 students.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In 1964, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
began to coordinate joint activities among the state delegations and suggested
that co-op representatives from each state arrange to be in Washington, D.C.,
during Youth Tour week. The first year of the coordinated Tour included
approximately 400 young people from 12 states. Word of the program has
continued to spread and today, more than 1,900 students and over 250 chaperones
participate in the Youth Tour every year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Youth Tour directors from each state association arrange
their delegation’s visits with their congressional delegation and other
educational and sightseeing activities. In addition to the planned state
activities, the Youth Tour experience encompasses multi-state activities
coordinated by NRECA.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Good company! Youth Tour alumni have gone on to design
airplanes, to lead companies (ummm … like Tim Cook of Apple Inc.!) and to serve
in the highest ranks of our government, including the U.S. Senate. Don’t be
surprised if you run into a former Youth Tour participant who is a
congressional aide on Capitol Hill. While several of our alumni work in
Washington, you will find even more alumni in your own community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shelly York<o:p></o:p></div>
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Iowa Youth Tour Director<o:p></o:p></div>
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Follow us!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref_type=bookmark">Facebook Page</a>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl">https://www.facebook.com/IowaYouthTour?ref=hl</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour">Twitter</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour">https://twitter.com/IowaYouthTour</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Follow us on <a href="http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour">Instagram</a>: <a href="http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour">http://instagram.com/iowayouthtour</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Check us out on Snapchat: iowayouthtour<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Shelly Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17519918256208290710noreply@blogger.com0