Educator Toolkit 2026-27 · Chapter 2 of 12
The program
What the program is, how to join, cost and aid, the student journey and student roles.
The Program
Program Overview
YMCA Youth and Government is a national, nonpartisan program where middle and high school students write real bills and run a model state government. In New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, students debate their bills in the actual chambers of the State Capitol.
How to Join
- Find an adult advisor. A teacher, counselor, or YMCA staff member leads the delegation. Even a few students can form one.
- Fill out the free Intent Form. It reserves space for your school with no cost and no commitment.
- Hold three meetings. An interest meeting, a bill writing workshop, and debate and parliamentary procedure training. Scripts are provided, and YMCA staff can lead any of them.
At the Conference
Committees hear, debate, and rank bills.
Top bills move to the full House, Senate, or Assembly at the Capitol.
Passed bills go to the Youth Governor to sign or veto.
Students elect next year’s leaders and celebrate together.
A record year
A record 823 students took part in the 2026 New York High School Conference, and New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are all growing.
Cost and Aid
NY Middle School
Students $360 (4 per room) or $475 (2 per room). Adults $360 shared or $600 private.
Students $435 (3 to 4 per room), $575 (2 per room), or $750 (private). Adults $435 (2 per room) or $750 (private).
Rhode Island
A $250 school fee only, with no per-student fee. The fee can be waived.
Fees are per person and cover the conference, two hotel nights, and all five meals. Schools are never charged more when rooms can’t be filled perfectly.
Financial aid is need-based, and no student is turned away for financial reasons. One aid form works for every state. Connecticut aid awards range from $50 to $250. New groups may also qualify for start-up and scholarship support through a Carnegie partnership with YMCA of the USA; ask Drew how to apply.
Where states differ
The Program
Student Journey
Five steps from a first meeting to the national stage. First-year groups only need the first four, and the State Conference is the only required one.
01
Join a Delegation
Students join through their school or YMCA. First-year groups only need to attend the State Conference. Everything else is optional.
02
Write a Bill
Students pick a real issue, research the current state law, and write a bill to change it. Delegates can also take part without writing a bill.
03
Train and Lead
Students who want more can apply for leadership roles. Leaders prepare at Steering weekends or online trainings before the conference.
04
State Conference
Delegates debate and vote on bills in the real chambers of the State Capitol, then elect next year’s leaders.
05
National Stage
Selected high school students go on to the Conference on National Affairs (CONA), the National Judicial Competition (NJC), and the Y-Corps summer service trip.
What the Conference Looks Like
Where states differ
A Year at a Glance
Fall
Submit the Intent Form, hold the interest meeting, and apply for leadership roles (deadlines land in October). New York Middle School runs its whole season now, with the conference in November.
Winter
Bill writing workshop, research, and drafting. Registration, bills, rooming, and aid forms are due in late January and February for Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York High School.
Spring and Summer
State conferences in March and April, then elections for next year’s officers. Selected high schoolers go on to CONA in July, NJC, and Y-Corps.
Three meetings
Interest meeting, bill writing workshop, and debate training. Scripts are provided, and YMCA staff can lead any of them in person or by video.
One required event
The State Conference. Cabinet, Steering weekends, and national conferences are optional, and some leadership roles need a year of experience first.
Everyone is a legislator
Every student debates and votes. Writing a bill, chairing a committee, or running for office are extra roles students can choose.
The Program
Roles Students Can Take
Every student is a legislator. Students who want more can take on one of these roles.
| Role | What they do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Legislator | Writes or sponsors bills, debates in committee and chamber, and votes. | All |
| Committee Chair | Runs a committee hearing using parliamentary procedure. | All |
| Presiding Officer | Elected leaders (Youth Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker, and others) who plan and run the conference. | All |
| Governor’s Cabinet | Policy experts who review bills in their area and advise the Youth Governor to sign or veto. For students who have attended a prior conference. | All |
| Judicial: Attorney or Justice | Attorneys write a brief and argue an appeal; Justices hear cases and write opinions. | NY |
| Youth in Law | A law-focused track at the Connecticut conference. | CT |
| Press Corps | Reports on the conference through articles, social media, photos, and video. | NYCT |
| Middle School Resource Team | High schoolers (grades 10 to 12) who mentor middle school delegates. | NY |
Application deadlines, 2026-27
Permission
All statewide roles need permission from the student’s advisor, teacher, or YMCA director.
First year? Keep it simple
Legislator is the only role a first-year delegation needs. Leadership roles are a great second-year goal, and the Cabinet requires a prior conference.
Matching Students to Roles
A quick way to talk about roles with students who ask “what else can I do?”
Loves to speak up
Legislator and bill sponsor, then Committee Chair. Running for Presiding Officer is the natural next step.
Loves to write and argue
Judicial attorney or Justice in New York, Youth in Law in Connecticut, and the Press Corps for storytellers.
Loves detail and mentoring
Governor’s Cabinet for returning policy minds, and the Middle School Resource Team for older students who like to coach.