California YMCA Youth & Government | Civic Education and Personal Growth Skills for High School and Middle School Students

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Join the movement. Find your voice. Create positive change for yourself, your community, your world.

Changing the World,

One Leader at a Time

California YMCA Youth & Government delegates representing middle and high school youth throughout the state, will make an investment through our programs to gain the skills and knowledge to shape not only their lives, but our society’s future.

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Your donation will help to fund scholarships for youth who are otherwise unable to participate in our program, offering the opportunity for a future delegate to find their voice.

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Model Legislature & Court

California YMCA Youth & Government’s Model Legislature & Court (MLC) program was established 70 years ago and continues to be the state’s premier youth leadership and civic engagement program. The MLC creates a six-month learn-by-doing experience that teaches the values of democracy by bringing together a cross-section of high school students from across the state of California.

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Model United Nations

California YMCA Youth & Government has offered the Model United Nations (MUN) program to middle school students throughout the state since 2001. Middle school students (delegates) participate in the program with their peers. They are given the opportunity to discuss international issues, discover other cultures, develop life-enhancing skills, and make new friends. The four-month program culminates when delegates from around the state meet at the annual Model United Nations Summit in Los Angeles, California.

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Spring Conference

Spring Conference participants learn leadership skills, practice their speech and debate skills, and run for office in a fun and relaxed environment. This event is a condensed version of the Model Legislature & Court program and is a great introduction to two of the program’s major components: the Legislative Houses and the National Issues Commission.

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Conference on National Affairs (CONA)

The Conference on National Affairs (CONA) is a ten-day, nationwide conference. Its primary focuses are to gain an awareness of National concerns and issues, as well as increase the understanding of Federal Government and its relation to State, National and International matters. Participants author individual proposals of national or international scope and then champion these proposals through a competitive debate process.

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National Judicial Competition

The National Judicial Competition (NJC) is a nationwide Appellate Court and Mock Trial competition program hosted by the YMCA of the USA in partnership with the American Bar Association. This program brings together Youth and Government participants from around the country to face off in mock trial and appellate court competitions.

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How do I join a delegation so that I can participate?

Use our delegation finder to locate a near-by YMCA offering our programs.

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73rd Youth Governor Inaugural Ball Sponsorship Opportunities

California Breaks Records During The 52nd Conference On National Affairs

72nd Youth Governor Inaugural Ball Is A Smashing Success

MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT

72nd Training & Elections I

November 9th-11th, 2019
Fresno, CA, USA

72nd Training & Elections II

January 18th-20th, 2020
Fresno, CA, USA

72nd Model Legislature & Court

February 13th-17th, 2020
Sacramento, CA, USA

Spring Conference

May 15th-17th, 2020
Corcoran, CA, USA

MODEL UNITED NATIONS

19th Nor-Cal Training

March 14th-15th, 2020
Camp Jones Gulch, CA, USA

19th So-Cal Training

March 21st-22nd, 2020
Camp Pali Mountain, CA, USA

19th MUN Summit

April 23rd-26th, 2020
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Y&G SPECIAL
EVENTS

California Advocacy Days

May 3rd - May 4th, 2020
Sacramento, CA, USA

Confrence on National Affairs

June 23rd - July 3rd, 2020
Black Mountain, NC, USA

National Judicial Competition

July 27th – July 30th, 2020
Chicago, IL, USA

Providing Life Changing Experiences for Youth

The YMCA is a cause-driven organization that focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. California YMCA Youth & Government is an integral part of the YMCA movement and has been providing service to local YMCAs for 70 years. We now engage close to 5,000 high school and middle school youth from across the state each year, in programs emphasizing civic engagement. Our efforts provide participants the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills that will shape their lives and our society’s future.

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