Youth & Government

TEEN LEADERSHIP

Youth & Government (grades 9 to 12)

The California YMCA Model Legislature and Court program, also called Youth & Government, is based on the idea that “democracy must be learned by each generation.” This statewide educational program for high school students provides a nine-month hands-on experience of California’s state government. It uses a variety of activities to build, encourage and strengthen the skills and character traits that will help high school youth become involved, responsible adults who are decent and respected citizens.

Each fall, more than 2,000 teens and 250 volunteers meet as individual delegations at their local YMCAs. The teen delegates debate issues of importance to them as well as issues that are relevant to the state, nation and world. The delegates go on to write bills, select governmental positions to role-play, attend statewide training conferences and run for various elected offices.

The program reaches its peak in February, when a five-day Model Legislature and Court convene in Sacramento at the State Capitol. There, the “regular” occupants of our state government offices move over and the teen delegates take over, using the historic halls, chambers, and offices of our State Capitol, Supreme Court and Governor's Office.

Model United Nations (MUN) puts participants (grades 6 - 9) in the shoes of “real-life” United Nations delegates. MUN delegates are assigned to represent one or more countries and come to the MUN to advocate for change. They take part in some of the same activities as the real United Nations: researching, debating and establishing policies, treaties and resolutions. The issues addressed include disputes between nations, peacekeeping responsibilities, border crises, stabilizing financial markets and dealing with hunger, disease and poverty.

Back_to_top