High School

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There are two ways to learn about government. The first is to read textbooks about what others have done. The second is to take that theoretical knowledge and apply it in an actual government setting.

The State YMCA Youth In Government program provides high school students with a unique opportunity to become acting state legislators, lobbyists, lawyers and members of the press corp. The students simulate all phases and positions of the actual state government. These students are challenged with many of the issues our real legislators must face in their elected offices.  Our expanded program includes a national issues debate section (National Issues Forum) dealing with national and international issues.

Youth from throughout the state are selected as delegates from student councils, government classes or YMCA'S and spend months researching for the event. These students may go through an election process for leadership positions in the House and Senate as well as the executive branch. They work in chambers to introduce, debate and vote on proposed legislative bills that have been written by the youth legislators in their hometowns.

Fall conferences are held in each district during the fall of each year after local Youth in Government groups and delegations have been formed. Delegates to the conference receive training in all areas of the program and elect youth officers for the model session.  Nominating speeches, balloons, and countless pieces of campaign literature are distributed to the delegates. Elections occur by individual ballot.

In February and March, the Youth in Government program meets in the legislative chambers of the state capitol and the courtrooms in Lansing where scaled down version of actual sessions are conducted. Committees meet, debate is held, and bills are signed into model law.

Other programs that students may participate in are:

  • The National Youth Governor's Conference in Washington D.C., where Youth Governors from all 50 states meet with the President, Cabinet Officers, Senators, Supreme Court Justices, etc.
  • The YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs in Black Mt., North Carolina in June
  • The ABA national mock trial competition in July

2012/2013 EVENTS

September & October
2012
Local High Schools and YMCAs
Recruit Students for
Youth In Government
October 1, 2012 Central District Fall Conference
Shepherd High School
October 16, 2012 Southeast -Southwest  Fall Conference
Best Western Plus Hotel, Lansing
October 18, 2012 U.P. Fall Conference
Marquette YMCA
February 27-March 3, 2013 High School State Conference
Best Western Plus Hotel, Lansing
March 13-17, 2013 High School State Conference
Best Western Plus Hotel, Lansing
June • July • August 2013 National Youth Governor's Conference
Washington D.C.
YMCA Conference On National Affairs
Black Mountain, North Carolina
ABA National Mock Trial Competition 

 


 

State Youth In Government Office
P.O. Box 65
Quincy, Michigan 49082
Phone: (517) 639-4480
Fax: (517) 639-3525