California YMCA Youth & Government

Youth & Government is a national program by the YMCA for using state legislatures in a multiple day conference to form a mock government after months of preparation.
I participated in Youth & Government in 2011 – 2012. The YMCA program was in Oakland and it was very structured. They taught a lot of conventions of politics and respectable debate. Some of it was scary like thinking about how you would secure your stuff at Camp Roberts. They brought in local officials like attorneys and the talk was constructive.
Just to be clear, you run for many positions. But some like lobbyist you can be easily and some depend on how small the delegation is. I rode to Camp Roberts twice. It was very muddy and we slept in the military barracks. I struggled a little, having fallen in the mud. The central area was nice and I got to do things like vote, eat and there was a prom-​like event towards the end.
The candidates are announced in all kinds of fake political parties. There was a pizza party even. Remember to bring some money, because it’s in the middle of nowhere, but they’ll still sell you some coffee and cheap sausages.
They themed the activities well. We debated Northern vs Southern California. I said that Southern California was too hot in reference to temperature. But someone twisted my words to mean that the girls on the beach are hot. From then on, I am more concise.
This is a model California state government program and so I was a model assemblyman. I got to debate and go onto mock committees. On the spot, I made some good speeches in the real legislature. You get to sit in the real desks. Just remember to be on time and figure out the location in these old buildings beforehand.
Some of the bills there were funny. One was to legalize topless women and another to use dead organs of prisoners. There’s a host of debate.
You get to stay at nice hotels in Sacramento. The election for governor was fun.
Overall, the program was about $ 600, but I’m glad my folks found it worthwhile. I got to debate and it prepared me for future political commentary. Just remember to be respectful and keep an open mind. If you have a phone, sleep near it when in the barracks, but that’s only two three-​day holiday weekends, Veteran’s Day and Martin Luther King Day. It should be cheaper than $ 600 and then it would be perfect. But it’s such a nice program.
Youth & Government is a special program that provides a uplifting experience.

Thank you to Y&G for providing one of the best experiences of my life.
All year, you train to emulate a fully functional state government for five days in Sacramento. Delegates use REAL Capital court rooms and board rooms. They dress and play the part of senators, congresspeople, governor, lt. governor, NIA, judges, education board, reporters, lobbyists, and so forth. They receive coaching from people who have careers in media and politics and speech as well. It’s amazing.
I’m glad I found Y&G at the point of my life that I did. I was coming out of a dark time and Y&G filled a void that the rest of everything going on in my life couldn’t.
I was a reporter my first year and a lobbyist my second. Some funny things I have done in my time with Y&G — invited a senator to a fancy luncheon as a lobbyist, use someone’s argument against them in an article I wrote, scoffed at an abrasive interview by an unfavorable reporter given to my good friend as candidate for governor, gotten in intense arguments on the floor with my opposing PAC trying to persuade a senate committee. It’s intense.
This program is constantly evolving. They now have political parties delegates can subscribe to. Those at Y&G are doing a great job enhancing the experience of delegates.
I am in no way rich. Y&G was an expensive experience — $ 900 (much more for delegates who pay for more expensive transportation to Camp Roberts and Sacramento). But the board gave me a hefty scholarship both years which allowed me to afford my way to Sacramento.
In the amount of time I spent at Y&G I learned so many skills. Public speaking, networking, people skills, and how to research and construct a very persuasive dialogue. The people I met have a great effect on my life.
If you have a teen entering high school, run to the nearest YMCA and sign them up for Y&G as soon as they are eligible. If you have a child in middle school, run to the nearest YMCA to sign them up for Model United Nations. MUN people go on to do Y&G and I wish I had discovered these great programs sooner.

This is one of the best programs available to middle school and high school students. I went through the program several years ago and it was a life changing experience. It was the catalyst that allowed me to convert the things I learned in school into real world actions that make a difference. The program was engaging, taught values, and encourages leadership not only in schools, but everyday life as well.
Awesome program!