Youth and Government
Teen Leadership Programs for Middle School and High School Students
California Youth and Government is a premier program empowering high school and middle school students to dive into politics and government. Through simulations and real-world problem-solving, Youth and Government hones critical skills, fostering future leaders committed to positive change in California and beyond. This is the ultimate opportunity to provide your teen with a transformative civic education experience. Below are the active program we are currently offering.
MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT (MLC) HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM – GRADES 9–12
The Model Legislature & Court (MLC) brings together more than 1,300 youth participants representing over 60 delegations across California. Delegates will convene on a weekly basis at local delegation meetings. The program will include in-person events in November and February that allow participants the opportunity to put their training into action as they assume their given roles. Legislation is debated and court cases are decided, as students apply skills they have gained in the program.
Conferences
Training & Elections One | Friday, October 30 – Monday, November 2
📍 Camp Roberts National Guard Base, San Miguel, CA
Delegates will receive general program training and an introduction to their designated program area.
Training & Elections Two | January Program Area Workshop
Single day Zoom – more details coming soon!
Final Model Legislature & Court Conference | Friday, February 12 – Monday, February 15
📍 Convention Center & Capitol, Sacramento, CA
Delegates put everything they have been working on into action.
PARTICIPATING BRANCHES
Copley-Price Family YMCA
Important Dates and Information:
- Parent Information Session: Wednesday, September 2 and 9 at 6:00pm
- Weekly Meetings: Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00pm, starting September 16
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026.
For more information, please reach out to Louis LaRose, llarose@ymcasd.org | 619-280-9622 ext. 1790.
Dan McKinney Family YMCA
Important Dates and Information:
- Parent Information Session: Monday, August 31 and September 7 at 7:00pm
- Weekly Meetings: Mondays, 7:00-8:00pm, starting September 14
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026.
For more information, please reach out to Hannah Lewis, hlewis@ymcasd.org | 858-453-3483 ext. 1832.
East County YMCA's
Important Dates and Information:
- Parent Information Session: Wednesday, September 2 and 9 at 6:00pm
- Weekly Meetings: Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00pm, starting September 16
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026.
For more information, please reach out to Josh Ichull-Ingya, jichullingya@ymcasd.org | 619-462-9622 ext. 3291.
Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA
Important Dates and Information:
- Parent Information Session: Wednesday, September 2 at 6:00pm
- Weekly Meetings: Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00pm, start date coming soon
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026.
For more information, please reach out to Brittney Lingenfelter, blingenfelter@ymcasd.org | 760-942-9622 ext. 1850.
Mission Valley YMCA
Information coming soon!
Rancho Family YMCA
- Information coming soon!
MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN) | MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM – GRADES 6–8
Middle school students or “ambassadors” come together in delegations and participate in the program with peers from across California. They are given the opportunity to discuss international issues, discover other cultures, develop lifeenhancing skills, and make new friends. The three-month program includes two in-person events*, a 1-day training and the culminating 2-night Model United Nations Summit. There, delegates represent assigned countries as ambassadors and work to solve global issues with the skills they have acquired.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN) | MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM – GRADES 6–8
Important Dates and Information:
- More information coming soon!
For more information, please reach out to Hannah Lewis, hlewis@ymcasd.org | 858-453-3483 ext 1832.
Important Dates and Information:
- Parent Information Session: Wednesday, January 21 and 28 at 6:30pm
- Weekly Meetings: Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm, starting February 11
- MUN Conferences: Finalized dates for our 2026 session coming soon!
- Training Conference: Saturday, March 21, 2026
- MUN Summit: Friday, May 1 to Sunday May 3, 2026
REGISTRATION CLOSES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026.
For more information, please reach out to Hannah Lewis, hlewis@ymcasd.org | 858-453-3483 ext 1832.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. For more information, visit our Financial Aid page for more information.
