Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government

# Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government (YIG) is a statewide civic leadership program run by the YMCA of the North's Center for Youth Voice. Students in grades 8-12 join or form a YIG delegation at their school or community organization, meet through the fall to learn state government and draft legislation, and then spend four days each January running a full model state government at the Minnesota State Capitol. The next Model Assembly convenes Thursday, January 7 through Sunday, January 10, 2027, at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Minneapolis and the Minnesota State Capitol. ## What You'll Do - Join or form a delegation at your school or community organization and prepare through fall meetings - Choose a program area: Legislature or Courts (grades 9-12), National Issues Forum, Lobbying, or Media (grades 10-12), or Leadership Corps (grade 8) - Serve as a legislator, judge, attorney, lobbyist, media representative, or cabinet member - Debate real bills in the actual chambers of the Minnesota State Capitol during the four-day January conference ## Who Should Apply Minnesota students in grades 8-12; eighth graders start in Leadership Corps while high schoolers pick their branch of government. Students register through their local delegation, and conference registration windows and program fees for 2027 are still listed as TBD, so connect with your delegation or the Center for Youth Voice in the fall. ## Outcomes Delegates practice public speaking, legislative drafting, and consensus-building in the state's real halls of power, and can advance into statewide elected leadership roles within the program - longstanding preparation for civic and legal careers.