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

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California YMCA Youth & Government is about to kick off our 71st program year. Our Model Legislature & Court program alone will serve over 3,000 high school youth with over 90 different delegations throughout California. Interested in how you can become involved? Check out our Delegation Finder to find a group near you.

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#BeTheChange

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

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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.

Our Programs

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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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View All News

Y&G Kicks Off First Training Of 71st Program Year

Civically Engaged: Class of 2018 Y&G Alumni Recognized by California Courts

Y&G Welcomes Four New Core Staff Members

MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT

71st MLC Training & Elections I
November 9th-11th, 2018
Fresno, CA, USA

71st MLC Training & Elections II
January 19th-21st, 2019
Fresno, CA, USA

71st Model Legislature & Court
February 14th-18th, 2019
Sacramento, CA, USA

MODEL UNITED NATIONS

18th MUN So-Cal Training
March 16th-17th, 2019
San Bernardino County, CA, USA

18th MUN Nor-Cal Training
March 22nd-23rd, 2019
San Mateo County, CA, USA

18th MUN Summit
April 25th-28th, 2019
Los Angeles, CA, USA

Y&G SPECIAL
EVENTS

Spring Conference

May 17th-19th, 2019
Corcoran, CA, 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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