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Kids & Teens / Youth and Government

Youth in Government creates the next generation of informed, active citizens

The YMCA Youth In Government (YIG) program is a civic engagement and leadership development program for high school and middle school students across the state. The Tennessee YIG program is the second largest in the country with more than 4,700 participants. The mission of the Youth In Government program is to help create the next generation of informed, active citizens. We do this through a series of programs and conferences and experiential education opportunities, including Model United Nations, Youth Legislature and Conference on National Affairs.

Youth In Government programs develop and promote:

Personal growth and life-long responsible citizenship
An understanding of local, state, national and international concerns
Research, study and debate on public issues under the rules of parliamentary procedure
Exploration of careers in public service
An understanding of political systems and the forum provided for the free exchange of ideas and the value of an open mind
Appreciation for the diversity of viewpoints and respect for the ideas, beliefs and positions of others

Desoto County Youth and Government Conferences

The YMCA Youth Legislature is a model legislative and judicial program for high school students in grades 9-12 and middle school students in grade 6 – 8. Students from public and private schools across Desoto County come together for one day to participate in a mock legislative session. Each student participates as a legislator. They write a bill that they present on the day of the conference. Training is done at each school by YMCA staff to teach them the process of researching, writing and presenting a bill. The bills are debated by all students and voted on by the delegates as to whether the bill passes out of committee to be presented in the afternoon at the general assembly. The leadership for this program also comes from the students. Past participants in the Youth and Government conference serve as officers for the day and lead all the sessions. The YMCA Youth Legislature Program allows participants to gain an in-depth knowledge of our state’s political, judicial and legislative systems. Awards are given out at the end of the day long event for outstanding bills and outstanding statespersons. Participation in this local one day event is a first step to their participation in the 2 day events held in Jackson for students all over the state. Delegates from 2 high schools in DeSoto county have attended this program and several of those students have been chosen as outstanding delegates. We hope in the future to have participation from each school in the DeSoto County school district for this time honored YMCA program for youth. There is a $25 registration fee per student to participate in each conference. This fee includes lunch and all other conference dues. If financial assistance is needed, please contact the YMCA.

Desoto County Annual Conferences

Middle School Students - October
High School Students - January

See if your school participates in this exciting and enriching program.

For more information, please contact Darlene Cunningham, Community Outreach and Development Director, at 662.890.9622 or dcunningham@ymcamemphis.org.