Youth & Government

WHAT IS YOUTH & GOVERNMENT?

California YMCA Youth & Government's Model Legislature & Court is the California's premier youth leadership and civic development program! The MLC is a six month, learn-by-doing experience that brings together high school students from across the state to learn the value of democracy. Students have the opportunity to write bills, become attorneys, serve on the State Assembly, and more program areas as they participate in this statewide program.

JOIN US

Ask a Youth & Government veteran why you should join. Is it the thought of over three thousand high school students coming together for training conferences in the Fresno Convention Center? Was it the idea of taking over two four-star hotels, the Sacramento Courthouse, and the Capitol building? It starts with friendships, both at home and statewide in their program areas, hotels, and throughout the program. They exchange ideas with the best and brightest in California and realize, Democracy must be learned by each generation.

KEY DATES

November 11-13th, Training & Elections I Conference at Fresno Convention Center
January 14-16th, Training & Elections II Conference at Fresno Convention Center
February 16-20th, 69th Model Legislature & Court in Sacramento, CA

CONFERENCES

TRAINING AND ELECTIONS I

This conference provides an overview of the YMCA Model Legislature & Court for new and returning delegates. With specific training in debate and parliamentary procedure, returning delegates brush up on their debate skills and attend sessions on value, ethics, and peer pressure. All delegates participate in elections for officers for the program. This conference is held over the Veterans Day Holiday weekend in November.

TRAINING AND ELECTIONS II

All youth and adults who plan to participate in the YMCA Model Legislature & Court in Sacramento must attend this conference. Everyone is trained in his or her roles within their designated prgram area, and the remainder of the officers are elected. This conference is held during the Martin Luther King weekend in January.

YMCA MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT

This is it. Over 3,000 delegates, advisors, interns, volunteers, and staff travel to Sacramento to participate in a five day program that encompasses most aspects of the state government. Delegates are privileged to use the actual state legislative and judicial chambers. Youth & Government is the only youth program allowed to use the actual capitol chambers. This program is held over Presidents Day weekend.

ADDITIONAL CONFERENCES

SPRING CONFERENCE

(Dependent on interest, additional fees required)
Each spring the Model Legislature & Court program gives delegates an additional opportunity to flex their political muscles. The annual Spring Conference is designed for both current program participants and for youth who are interested in learning more. Conference participants learn leadership skills, practice their speech and debate skills, and run for office in a fun and relaxed environment. Spring Conference is held in mid-April.

ENROLLMENT:

Register before October 7th.

• Register for Youth & Government in person and the San Luis Obispo County YMCA
• Payment is due at registration
• If not paying in full, automatic draft is mandatory. Fees will be broken into five (5) payments to be scheduled on: the day of registration, 11/1, 12/1, 1/1, and 2/1.
• If program assistance is needed, Click Here to download a Financial Assistance Form due prior to program registration.
• The following need to be completed before October 7th:
  • Fill out and turn in a 2016-2017 Enrollment Form
  • Read the California YMCA Youth & Government Code of Conduct
  • (Each delegate) Create an account on reggo.org

FEES:

Youth & Government participants are only charged the direct costs to put on the program. It is an exceptional program, and we understand that it does come at a substantial price.

• The Y plays $580 for each delegate for conference fees.
• Transportation costs $220 per delegate.
• Sacramento hotels cost $215 per delegate.
• The costs of: a sweatshirt, the delegation dinner, and program supplies total $100 per delegate.
• The same costs for each adviser who comes to lead the program.

The price per delegate for the 2016-2017 Model Legislature & Court is $1,250.

Y MEMBERSHIP

All Youth & Government participants must be Y Members. Youth & Government is a signature program and a cornerstone of the teen experience at our Y, and in our community. At the Y, we believe we impact young adults best when they are involved in a range of programs and experiences. We want our young adults not to just belong to some high school club, but to feel like the Y belongs to them. Our Y is so much more than a gym. We are a proud facility which we encourage our young adults to use in order to stay balanced and healthy. We would like every family with a child participating in Youth & Government to consider being family members of the Y (not just the minimum of a Program Member) because when everyone is engaged with the YMCA, we have the opportunity to strengthen family bonds and make the Y a part of your lives. If the cost of membership is prohibitive, our Financial Assistance provides assistance to everyone based on individual needs and circumstances. No one should be denied access on their ability to pay. More information about or Financial Assistance program is available here.

For more information, contact Daniella Siorda at dsiorda@sloymca.org OR call 805-781-3518 ext. 109