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"Democracy Must Be Learned By Each Generation"

Ages: 10th – 12th grades

Location: Countywide

Dates: September – February

The ultimate experience in citizenship and civic duty!

High school students have the opportunity to write bills,

become attorneys, and serve on the State Assembly and

more as they participate in this statewide mockCalifornia

legislature & court program.

Over 2000 teens from across the state participate in this

awesome program that culminates with the youth heading

to Sacramento to take over the capitol for 5 exciting days.

This is one program your high school student will want to

have on his/her college application! Includes weekly meetings

and 3 statewide conferences.

Background

The California YMCA Model Legislature & Court is a statewide youth educational program involving more than 2,200 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, in a six month "hands on" experience. Since its inception 56 years ago, the program has used a variety of activities to build, encourage, and strengthen those life assets and character traits that will help high school youth become involved, responsible adults who are decent and respected citizens.

The core purpose of this highly regarded program is exemplified in the program's motto, "Democracy Must Be Learned By Each Generation ".

The YMCA Model Legislature & Court teaches the values of democracy by creating citizen leaders from a cross-section of the State's high school population, providing them with the opportunity to experience government first hand and to learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process. The program also helps develop within these youth an attitude of self-help and self-confidence for their personal futures.

How The Program Works

The program begins in September when 2,200 young people and 400 volunteers at approximately 90 locations throughout the State, meet as individual delegations to discuss issues facing California, as well as ways to implement their solutions through the legislative and judicial processes. During a nine month period, the teen delegates write bills, prepare briefs, select governmental positions to role-play, attend statewide training conferences, and run for various elected offices. The program reaches its peak in Sacramento at the State Capitol with the convening of the five day Model Legislature & Court each February. There, "real" government moves over and the teen delegates "take over", using the historic halls, chambers, and offices of our State Capitol, Supreme Court, and Governor's Office.

What It Teaches

Citizenship solving community problems through the democratic process.
Leadership being a positive role model through example.
Service helping others by tying into real experiences and issues.
Diversity appreciating cultural differences in each other's backgrounds.
Skills enhancing communication and personal organization.
Self Confidence becoming confident in one's abilities to deal with life's experiences.
Values making decisions based upon one's deeply held beliefs, and principles.
Respect respecting others regardless of their views, backgrounds, or stations in life.

A core of each YMCA program is a commitment to the six pillars of character (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, caring, citizenship and fairness) in helping neighbors to strengthen their body, mind and spirit.

Prior Participants Engage Their Communities

How do program alumni stack up against the general population?