Youth in Government

Since 1957, Florida YMCA Youth In Government has brought the best and brightest young people to Tallahassee to experience the law-making process first-hand. Florida Youth In Government has grown dramatically over the years, and continues to develop programs for middle and high school students.

For more than fifty years, programs such as Youth In City, Model United Nations, and the Youth Conference on National Affairs have given Florida teens the ability to have their perspectives heard and discussed. Florida Youth In Government’s most well known program is the State Assembly, designed to familiarize high school students (grades 9-12) with the process, organization, and roles involved with our state’s governmental process.

Florida YMCA Youth in Government has had a great deal of growth in its 50 years, and recently added a program for middle school students in grades 7-8 to allow them to participate in their own legislative process and assembly. Beginning in program year 2009-2010, 6th grade students who are part of a Jr. YIG chapter may also participate.

Local Chapters work together on debate practices, service-learning projects, fundraising efforts, and Assembly preparation. Students choose an area of focus for the State and District Assemblies. It is through these personas that delegates are given the means to learn about their specific role in the context of state government. Florida Youth In Government State Legislature is broken up into five program areas – Legislative, Executive, Judicial, Lobbyists, and the Press Corps.