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:

We meet at Briggs YMCA 7:00pm - 8:30pm. 1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month

YMCA 63nd Youth Legislature Program Calendar

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

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