Know before you go.
What to pack, what to wear, the rules and what each day looks like at the New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island conferences.
Before you go
What to pack
- A business casual outfit for day one and business formal for the Capitol day, with comfortable dress shoes.
- Casual clothes for the last day. Many delegates wear the conference T-shirt.
- A refillable water bottle. There are no vending machines.
- Copies of your bill, case or talking points, plus a notebook and pen.
- Snacks if you like. Rooms have refrigerators.
- Any medication you need. Ask your advisor how your delegation handles medication.
Please do not bring payment to the conference.
What to wear
Dress code
- Day one: business casual. Collared shirts, shoulders covered. No jeans, shorts, leggings, athletic wear, sneakers or sandals.
- Capitol day: a business suit or similar, with comfortable dress shoes. Casual for the evening social.
- Last day: casual.
- When in doubt, do without. Advisors enforce the dress code.
The rules
Code of Conduct, in short
Every delegate and a parent or guardian sign the Code of Conduct. Your State Director and advisor interpret it.
Badges
Wear your own badge at all times outside your room, above the waist and visible. No switching, sharing or changing badges.
Rooms and curfew
Enter only your own room unless your advisor is there. At curfew, every delegate is in their own room. Advisors may check bags before departure.
AI
Use AI for research only, never to write your speech or bill. Credit your sources, and raise AI concerns with staff, not in debate.
Safety and respect
No weapons, alcohol or non-prescribed drugs, and the conference is tobacco and vape free. Be on time and respect everyone. Serious violations can mean being sent home without a refund.
Each conference
What the days look like
Based on last year's schedules, which change very little from year to year. The final schedule is printed in each year's bill book.
New York Middle School Conference
- Sunday: check-in at 3pm (rooms may not be ready until 5pm; luggage storage is available), orientation, opening session and committees, then delegation meetings and curfew.
- Monday: State of the State, then a full day at the Capitol in the Senate and Assembly chambers and hearing rooms, a Capitol tour and a boxed lunch. Dinner and a delegation celebration in the evening.
- Tuesday: final sessions, then closing with vetoes, the Governor's speech and awards, ending at 11:30am.
- Buses: your bus color is on your name tag, and delegations with one or two advisors ride together.
New York High School Conference
- Thursday, Apr 1 (leadership only): training and the Alumni and Leadership Dinner.
- Friday: registration at the Y desk, opening session, committees, the Civic Engagement General Assembly, then joint sessions and judicial training in the evening.
- Saturday: State of the State, buses to the Capitol in two waves, chambers and hearing rooms, judicial at the Albany County Courthouse, boxed lunch, elections, dinner and the delegate celebration.
- Sunday: final chamber and judicial sessions and the closing session, adjourning around noon.
Connecticut State Conference
- Thursday: check-in at 3pm, orientation, opening session, committees and dinner.
- Friday: travel to the Capitol for sessions in the House Chamber, then election speeches and the delegate celebration back at the hotel.
- Saturday: breakfast, then the closing session and awards.
- Included: both hotel nights and all five meals. 28 Day Hill Road, Windsor, CT 06095.
Rhode Island
- Committee Day at a host high school (date coming soon).
- State House Day on Saturday, March 13, 2027.
- Both are day events, so there are no hotel nights.
At the Capitol
A public building
- Everyone goes through security, so bring only what you need.
- Chamber rules limit food, drink, gum and phone use.
- Follow the directions of any conference adult.
For families
Who looks after students
- Every delegation attends with its own adult advisors, who sign up for supervision shifts. Safety comes first.
- Registration collects parent and emergency contacts, allergies, meal needs and religious observance. In 2026, Ramadan meals were served before sunrise and after sunset.
- Need an accessibility accommodation? Contact dcaldwell@ymcanys.org or (270) 300-4798 before the conference.