The 5 major components of Delaware's Youth in Government program are  . . . .

Weekly Delegation Meetings
Start in January and continue up to the Model Legislative Conference. Click here to find which Delegation you can become a part of.

Pre-Legislative training and Elections Conference
is a one day state wide conference usually held on a Saturday in late February or early March at Legislative Hall in Dover, DE.

Model Legislative Conference
is a three day state wide conference usually held over Friday, Saturday and a half day on Sunday in the beginning of April at Legislative Hall in Dover, DE.

Conference On National Affairs
is a six day nation wide conference held at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain North Carolina, usually on the first week of July.

Delaware High School Mock Trial Competition

Delaware Education Standards Correlation

YMCA Youth in Government (YIG/YAG) is a national teen leadership program, which involves thousands of teens nationwide in state organized model government programs. Established 1936 by the YMCA, the Delaware program began in 1969. Currently thirty-eight states host a YIG/YAG program with over 53,000 teens participating nationwide.
Teens meet in their local delegations several months each year to discuss and debate issues that affect citizens of Delaware and write proposed legislation to address those issues. Young people learn about the democratic system and are trained in parliamentary procedure, bill development, the legislative committee process, debate, and more. The program culminates with the teens serving as delegates to a 3-day model legislative session held annually at Legislative Hall in Dover. Delegates learn by doing, and have the opportunity to try their hand at leadership in an open and receptive learning environment.

MOTTO
“Democracy Must Be Learned By Each Generation”

GOAL
Develop life-long responsible citizenship in young men and women by being both knowledgeable and active in determining the future of our democracy.

OBJECTIVES
• To provide training and experience in understanding the legislative process
• To develop critical thinking and analytical abilities
• To provide hands-on, active participation in the legislative process
• To develop interpersonal communication skills
• To provide awareness of social issues and their possible solutions
• To provide opportunities to hear and respect varying viewpoints
• To encourage active participation in political and public affairs

SERVICES
1. Leadership training
2. Public speaking and critical writing workshops
3. Community activism and applying political leverage
4. Academic enhancement through the development of research and reading/writing skills

PROGRAMS
There are 2 major programs currently being officered by Delaware Youth in Government. They are:
• The Youth Model Legislature – a four to six-month hands on learning experience for high school youth from throughout Delaware, featuring Delaware’s executive and legislative government practices. Two conferences make up this program: Pre-Legislative Training and Elections Conference and the 3-day Youth Model Legislature Conference.
• The Youth Conference on National Affairs – a national conference dealing with national and international affairs where a smaller select group of delegates participate representing Delaware.