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 over 1600 high school students with a unique opportunity to become acting state legislators, lobbyists, lawyers, committee chairs, etc. In essence, 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.
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 executive, legislative and judicial session. Nominating speeches, balloons, and countless pieces of campaign literature are distributed to the delegates. Elections occur by individual ballot.
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
- The ABA national mock trial competition in August
