Youth & Government

What is Youth & Government?

A nation-wide YMCA program in which students learn the mechanics of government and the media by participating in hands-on activities in their club at their school or local YMCA. Texas Youth & Government

How do we participate in YG?

Ask your local YMCA to do a presentation at your school
Engage a dedicated adult advisor
Begin a club with your local YMCA
Prepare, practice and participate!

*Financial Assistance & Income Based Club fees are available

Why participate in YG?

YG is a life-changing program.
Students gain the following from YG:

Confidence
Leadership and Public Speaking Skills
Empathy and Diplomacy
Stronger work ethic
Value of voting and volunteering
Organized decision making skills
New friends and important life-long connections
A better understanding of the workings of government

For your students, YG also helps enhance academic and UIL performance, as well as already existing clubs such as Media, Debate and World Affairs, Mock Trial and more.

Participating Schools:

Victory Place Coppell
Coppell High School
CMS-West
New Tech High School @ Coppell
Creekview High School (Carrollton)

Local Program Events:

District Conference – Dallas, November - Students compete against local students in their chosen area.

State Conference – Austin, January (high school) & February (middle school) - Students compete against students from across the state in their chosen area.

NATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

CONA

Every year in July, the top 25 representatives from each of the US YMCA Youth and Government programs across the nation participate in the YMCA Conference on National Affairs (CONA) at the Blue Ridge Assembly in North Carolina. Over 700 delegates from 40 states debate issues of national and international importance. For more information visit www.ymcacona.org.

NJC

Trial Court and Appellate Court teams selected from the top competitors at the Texas State Conference compete with teams from across the nation at the National Judicial Competition (NJC) in Chicago at the end of July. For more information visit www.ymcanjc.org

National Conference of YMCA Youth Governors

Governor's from Youth and Government programs around the country gather in Washington, D.C. in June to learn how to run their program and lead their state. For a glimpse into their experience visit this photo page or see President Jimmy Carter's historical address from the 1978 conference.

Alumni

Were you in Youth & Government when you were in high school? Would you like to give back to the program that gave you so much?

Connect and explore how you can serve young YAGers as mentors, conference staff, program committee, or members of the Youth and Government State Board. Email txygmun@ymcadallas.org or call 214-880-9622.