The opportunity to get away for a few days, meet new people, and build some good character traits was given to William Whitehurst by Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corp. last week.

Whitehurst, 17, was selected to attend the 2009 Cooperative Youth Leadership Conference at White Lake FFA Center in North Carolina from June 22-26.

His trip came on the heels of another Tarboro student, Katelyn Whitehurst, who visited Washington D.C. from June 13-19 to learn more about co-ops and conserving energy.

Edgecombe-Martin EMC sponsors the trips annually to spark more interest about what the company does.

EMC spokesman Winston Howell said that they are similar because they provide the participants with insight on current issues relating to co-ops, and what co-ops do.

“After I got down there, I found out I had a bigger interest in cooperatives,” Whitehurst said.

While at the camp, Whitehurst participated in many team building exercises with about 50 other participants.

“I had a really great time with the people. I went down there not knowing anybody, and I came back knowing everybody,” he said.

One of the key things he picked up from his time there was developing a greater sense of the business aspect of co-ops, and building leadership skills.

Whitehurst, who would like to pursue a career in music, said that his experience at the camp has made him consider working with a co-op if his music career doesn’t fall through.

“I consider it a life changing experience,” he said.

“We encourage them to seek further information on cooperative opportunities,” Howell said.

Whitehurst found out about the trip through Lesa Walton of Edgecombe County 4-H. Whitehurst has shown livestock, sheep, goats, did three presentations, participated in 4-H Entertains and the talent troupe with 4-H.

The trip was completely funded by Edgecombe-Martin EMC.

Whitehurst is home-schooled. He is the son of Taft and Tina Whitehurst of Tarboro.