The Youth and Government program serves to educate and enhance the development of middle school and high school age students across the country. Teens are provided the opportunities to use their thoughts, voice, and actions to grow and contribute as productive members of society. Through this process we hope to build socially responsible, civic-minded citizens with strong academic and social interpersonal skills that further theirs, and our future. The program has inspired many young people to enter politics and allied fields such as law and service to others.
Teens who join Youth and Government will further develop the skills and present at the Annual Youth and Government State Conference held at the Capitol through the following paths:
- Executive
- Legislative
- Judicial
- Lobbyist
- Press
Program Benefits
- Enhance your public speaking, written and oral communication, and more.
- Learn the framework of New York State’s government.
- Successfully draft your own legislation, develop briefs, prepare for lobbying, & more.
- Meet and learn from public official, attorneys, lobbyists, and advocates.
- Attend regional, state, and national conferences for FREE or at a reduced cost.
- Receive Awards and potential scholarships.
- Receive a YMCA Membership.
Want to get involved? Email cdyag@cdymca.org
The Youth and Government program educates and enhances the development of middle school and high school-age students across the country. Teens are provided the opportunities to use their thoughts, voices, and actions to grow and contribute as productive members of society. Through this process, we hope to build socially responsible, civic-minded citizens with strong academic and social interpersonal skills that further their and our future. The program has inspired many young people to enter politics and allied fields such as law and service to others.
This unique program is made up of thousands of teens nationwide in state-organized, model government programs. Participants immerse themselves in experiential civic engagement, debate issues that affect citizens in their state and even propose legislation. The program culminates with teens serving as delegates at their state conference, debating bills on the floor of the legislature.
- State Conference
- Judicial Steering Conference
- Legislative Steering Conference
- Conference on National Affairs
- District Conferences
- End of Year Senior Luncheon
Because the timeline for this program is quite stringent, attendance is extremely important. Teens are expected to be in attendance for the entirety of the program. After 2 absences, program leadership will evaluate the teen’s participation in the conference.
$250 per student, annually ($75 nonrefundable deposit)
Black and Latino Achievers do not pay this fee. It is included in their program costs.
Limited (income-based) scholarships are available.
You can select any site from this list that best fit your participant's schedule:
- Albany Leadership Academy (Teens - 9-12th) - 3:30-5 pm
- Averill Park H.S. (AP Students Only) - 2:15-3:15 pm
- Bethlehem Y (Teens 9- 12th) - Mondays 5:30-7 pm
- Cohoes H.S. (Cohoes Students Only) - Mondays 3-4:30 pm
- Colonie Central H.S. (Colonie Students Only) - Thursdays 2:45-4:15 pm
- East Greenbush Y (Teens 9- 12th) - Mondays 5:30-7 pm
- Greene County Y (Teens 9- 12th) - Mondays 5:30-7 pm
- Guilderland Y (Teens 9- 12th) - Tuesdays 5:30-7 pm
- Schenectady Y (Teens 9- 12th) - Thursdays 5:15-7 pm
- Shaker H.S. (Shaker Students Only) - Wednesdays 2:15-3:45 pm
- Southern Saratoga Y (Teens 9- 12th) - Mondays 5:30-7:00 pm
- Siena College (Teens 9- 12th) - Mondays 3-4:30 pm
- SUNY Downtown Campus (Teens - 9-12th) - Wednesdays 5:30-7 pm
- Troy Y (Teens - 9-12th) - Tuesdays 5-6:30 pm
Partners
