Frequently Asked Questions

General

Who can attend?

NTCA member companies sponsor a student from their local community to attend the tour. FRS leaves the selection of the participant entirely up to the NTCA member partner. Students must be aged 15, 16, or 17 at the time of the youth tour.

Why should my NTCA member company send a student or chaperone?

The Youth Tour is a unique experience for students and chaperones:

• educates students about the policy making process through meetings with Congressional and FCC staff members.
• students gain insight into the challenges of providing quality broadband in their rural communities.
• an opportunity to visit famous historical sites including the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol, Mount Vernon, and Arlington National Cemetery.
• allows students to meet youth from rural areas across the country, develop leadership skills, and help point their communities toward the future.

How to Register?

Register students and chaperones by visiting NTCA Member Central from September 30, 2025 to April 1, 2026.

How long is the tour?

The tour spans across 5 days, June 1 - June 5, 2026. The Youth Tour participants arrive on Monday, June 1 and leave Friday, June 5. We ask that attendees arrive Monday, June 1 between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and leave Friday, June 5 before 1:00 p.m. 

What is the cost?

The cost of registration is $1,500 and covers all expenses except airfare.

The cost of registration includes:

•    Four nights hotel accommodations (two students per room; chaperones will have their own room)
•    Three meals a day
•    Bus transportation to all activities
•    Admission to ticketed events
•    Special entertainment
•    Student dance with a D.J.
•    Youth Tour t-shirt and other FRS merchandise
•    Gratuities for services

*All expenses are paid by the NTCA member sponsor. The trip is all expenses paid for students and chaperones.

How many students can my broadband provider send?

Each NTCA member company may select 2 students from their community to attend. If your company is interested in sending more than 2 students, contact FRS.

Can telco employees or directors attend?

Yes, NTCA member companies can also sponsor a chaperone to attend the Youth Tour.

* Please note that NTCA member companies are not required to sponsor a chaperone in order for a student to attend the FRS Youth Tour.

Who is eligible to be a chaperone?

To be a chaperone, an individual must have a direct connection to an NTCA member company—such as being an employee or the spouse of an employee—or be an employee of the local school district. The partnering NTCA member company selects chaperones in accordance with FRS guidelines. FRS reserves the right to refuse the participation of a chaperone if they do not meet these guidelines.

For Youth Tour to be successful, FRS relies heavily on chaperones. With 100 students, chaperones help ensure that students have a safe and educational experience. Serving as a chaperone is a wonderful opportunity for a staff member of your organization or local educator. If you're interested in volunteering as a chaperone, contact your NTCA member partner or contact FRS. 

More on being a chaperone:

•    Each chaperone will be responsible for at least five students at all times.
•    Each adult in attendance will be considered a chaperone and will be assigned complete chaperone responsibilities.
•    Chaperones will be housed on the same floor as the students, but will have a private room.
•    Chaperones must be prepared for 12-hour days and be able to walk long distances (minimum of 5 miles per day).

Important Dates

• September 30, 2025 - Registration Opens.
• April 1, 2026 - Last day to Register.
• April 15, 2026 - All student and chaperone information packets are due.
• April 15, 2026 - Last day to cancel and receive a full refund.

Flight Information

NTCA member companies are responsible for purchasing airline tickets for participating students and chaperones.

Arrival: Monday, June 1, 2026
Participants should arrive at Reagan National Airport (DCA) between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Departure: Friday, June 5, 2026
Participants should plan to depart Reagan National Airport (DCA) before 1:00 p.m.

*Please make sure the flight itinerary your company puts together fits within this timeline. Share participants' flight itineraries with FRS staff by May 15, 2026.

For NTCA Member Companies

Registration is open. Do I need to know the names of the students or chaperones now?

No, you do not need to have your students or chaperones selected at the time of registration.

What if our company only wants to sponsor one student?

NTCA member companies can send one student. Companies are not required to sponsor two students.

Does FRS select our student(s)?

FRS leaves the selection of the participant(s) entirely up to the NTCA member company.

If we sponsor a student to attend Youth Tour, do we need to sponsor a chaperone too?

You are not required to sponsor a chaperone in order for a student to attend Youth Tour. Sponsoring a chaperone is entirely up to the NTCA member company.

We have more than two students who would like to attend the tour. How do we pick?

Companies should create their own selection process. In the past, companies have had students write an essay, create a presentation, or explain why they want to attend the tour. 

* If you would like to send more than two students, please contact FRS.

When should we have our students and/or chaperones selected?

NTCA member companies should have their students and/or chaperones selected by April 1, 2026, so the participants can return their information packets by April 15, 2026.

For Students and Parents/Guardians

Who will be supervising the students on this trip?

Students will be supervised by FRS staff, adult chaperones, and NTCA employees. 

How are rooms assigned?

Rooms are assigned randomly by FRS staff. There will be two students of the same gender per room.

Parent/Guardian: How will my child get around Washington, D.C.?

Bus and shuttle transportation will be provided for all Youth Tour students and chaperones. This includes, but is not limited to: getting picked up from the airport, transportation to and from the hotel, touring D.C., and being dropped off at the airport at the conclusion of the trip. 

Student: I'm nervous about the trip because I've never traveled by myself. Is this the right trip for me?

The FRS Youth Tour is a great opportunity for all students. It has been a transformational trip for many of our past participants. Since students and chaperones are following the same itinerary, you may be on the same flight with someone else who is attending Youth Tour.

Parent/Guardian: My child has a medical condition. Should they attend the tour?

FRS welcomes all students. Please indicate all health concerns, medical conditions (past and present), allergies, and dietary restrictions on the medical forms you are required to fill out for your child to attend Youth Tour.

Student: What activities will we do?

There is a full itinerary of activities for students to learn about legislative and federal agency processes, the critical role of broadband in their rural community, and connect with peers from different states. While on the Youth Tour, students and chaperones will:

• Meet with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congressional staff.
• Tour famous historical sites and monuments like Mount Vernon, Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the World War II Memorial.
• Visit Smithsonian Museums.
• Experience a cultural activity relevant to Washington, D.C. For example, attend a show or cultural performance at the Kennedy Center.
• Build relationships with peers through a variety of activities.

View the 2024 FRS Youth Tour Itinerary for a sample schedule of events and activities.

Parent/Guardian: Will my child need additional spending money?

The Youth Tour is an all expenses paid trip; however, students will need spending money if they want to purchase things like souvenirs.

* Additional spending money is not required.

Student: What should I pack?

You will need clothing for four to five days. The weather in Washington, D.C. is typically hot and humid during the day, and there may be a possibility of rain.

Clothing: When packing, please keep in mind that suggestive and/or inappropriate clothing (including political, alcohol, cigarette, or illegal substance branding) is not allowed to be worn while on the FRS Youth Tour.

View our suggested packing list here for more information.

For Chaperones

Do I qualify as a chaperone?

To be a chaperone, an individual must have a direct connection to an NTCA member company—such as being an employee or the spouse of an employee—or be an employee of the local school district. The partnering NTCA member company selects chaperones in accordance with FRS guidelines. FRS reserves the right to refuse the participation of a chaperone if they do not meet these guidelines. Any adult participating in the Youth Tour is considered a chaperone and will be given full chaperone duties. If you meet these guidelines and would like to volunteer as a chaperone, contact your NTCA member or FRS.

What are my responsibilities?

Chaperones are responsible for, but not limited to:

• keeping track of students at every attraction, restaurant, or monument we visit.
• monitoring the hallways, lobby, and hospitality suites during free time.
• providing a head count of your group before the buses leave each location.
• using the GroupMe (or designated group messaging) app to communicate with FRS staff and chaperones before and during the trip.
• checking rooms at curfew and accounting for the students in your group.
• notifying FRS staff in cases of emergency or if issues arise.

Will I have to share a room?

Each chaperone will have their own room.