HINTON, Okla. – Youth programs are back in full swing in 2022, including an exciting and successful Energy Camp hosted by Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives, which was held on May 31-June 3 at Canyon Camp in Hinton, Oklahoma.

Fifty-five exceptional rising high schoolers were selected by their local electric cooperatives to attend camp this year, including Andrew Cardwell and Kade Marsh from Northside ISD, and MyLee Petty from Frederick Public Schools. Cardwell, Marsh, and Petty were sponsored by SWRE.

“This year’s camp was one of the best ever,” said Stacy Howeth, OAEC Director of Member Services and Energy Camp director. “I think we’re all so excited to be back together that we saw the experience through a renewed vision. This year’s campers were fun, smart, creative and respectful! It truly was a great group.”

Through various activities at Energy Camp, campers gained a wealth of information about the cooperative business model, power source generation, transmission and distribution power lines, electric safety and the history of Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives.

The campers experienced the cooperative business model firsthand by electing a board of directors who then interviewed and hired a camp manager. The elected directors and camp manager maintained leadership roles during camp operations.

Additional camp activities included hands-on electric safety demonstrations including pole climbing, tabletop demonstrations, two renowned motivational speakers and an Energy Battle Tournament (a quiz bowl style challenge about electric cooperative trivia).

Campers also had a crash course on professional life skills such as budgeting, career options, working with people of different personality types, how to write and mail thank-you notes and interview tips and tricks.

Eighth graders that live or attend school in SWRE’s service area are encouraged to apply for Energy Camp in the spring. For more information about the Energy Camp Contest, visit SWRE.com/EnergyCamp.