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Youth & Government

YMCA Youth & Government is a national program of the Y that involves thousands of teens nationwide in state-organized, model-government programs.

Youth & Government empowers high school students from every corner of the U.S. by giving them the opportunity to learn about and experience government policies firsthand with a goal of understanding how to be changemakers and improve their communities. 

Students join local clubs or delegations. Each club works together throughout the school year to learn about the legislative and judicial process. Teens meet weekly, learning and discussing topics such as parliamentary procedure, political parties, media, voting, bill writing, and debate policy. Teens work throughout the year with Youth & Government advisors to write legislature which is then compiled into a state-wide bill book and becomes the work of the House and Senate Committees and gets forwarded to the Supreme Court for constitutional review.

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH & GOVERNMENT
 REGISTER FOR YOUTH & GOVERNMENT

For LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

  • January
    • District caucuses held throughout the state
  • February
    • Caucus election results
    • Bills mailed to Youth & Government Director
  • March
    • Pre-legislative session held to elect state officials
    • Two students selected to participate in Youth Advocacy Day in DC
  • April
    • Pre-legislative session held to elect state officials
    • Two-day model legislature held at the Concord State House
  • June
    • YMCA of the USA Youth & Governors Conference
  • July
    • YMCA of the USA National Affairs Conference
  • September
    • School delegations informed of program dates
    • Youth & Government introductions and recruitment.
  • October
    • Handbook and registration material prepared
  • November
    • Delegate recruitment begins
    • Students begin writing legislation for billbook

Creating a culture based around the values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility—the Youth and Government Program is designed to provide a challenging academic experience as well as guide teens in their personal development.

  • Gain leadership training & experience in understanding legislative process
  • Develop critical thinking and analytical abilities

List of Youth & Government Officers coming soon.

The Granite YMCA