Youth & Government - Thurston Delegation

Grades 8-12

YMCA Youth & Government is a model legislature in Washington State.

For over 60 years, Washington YMCA Youth & Government has been helping young adults experience democracy in action through the Youth Legislature. Participants learn how to research public policy issues, write real legislation, practice public speaking and debating skills, and work together to achieve goals.

Assuming the roles of Senator, Representative, lobbyist, and press, the Youth Legislature meet in a four-day legislative session presided over by their statewide elected officials, including Governor, Secretary of State, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House.

Approximately 475 teenagers from 29 schools and youth delegations across Washington meet in Olympia proposing bills in the House and Senate Chambers. They debate current issues and pass legislation that becomes part of the permanent record. The legislative session culminates with the Governor’s Ball where the students have a blast socializing and dancing the night away.

Specific Youth & Government goals include:

To foster the development of citizen responsibility
To develop social competence, problem-solving ability, and communication skills
To inspire young people to be responsible, and act with integrity
To encourage self-reliance and a sense of purpose in youth
To provide training and experience through active participation in the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial
To stimulate careful deliberation of social issues and their possible resolutions
To create opportunities to hear and respect varying viewpoints
To apply ethical values in making public policy
To teach the YMCA core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility

Program Information:

8th Grade:	Registration Fee: $50.00 (Due December 3, 2007) Additional Fees: $250.00 (Due February 25, 2008) Total Program Fees: $300.00
9th - 12th Grades:	Registration Fee: $50.00 (Due December 3, 2007) Additional Fees: $300.00 (Due February 25, 2008) Total Program Fees: $350.00

1st and 3rd Tuesdays - October 2007 through December 2007
1st, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays - January though March 2008 (No meeting New Year's Day)
April 15th, 22nd, and 29th

For more information, please contact Shilpa Johnson at (360) 918-0337 or johnsons@ssymca.net.

Join us for an Election Party on Tuesday, November 6th, at the Briggs Community YMCA!

http://www.youthandgovernment.org/HOME.asp

Teens

Online Registration

Financial Assistance