After preparing all year, the Merrimack Valley YMCA Youth & Government delegation is at the State House this week participating in the Massachusetts Youth and Government Conference.

Massachusetts Youth and Government offers different areas for delegates to participate in. Students in the Legislative branch sit and debate in Committee hearings (chaired by fellow delegates), followed by hearings in the House and Senate chambers. The Judicial branch involves pre-trial motions, court cases, and constitutional challenges. The Press Corps allows delegates to report on Conference activities and various other aspects of Youth and Government. The Lobbyist Corps researches bills and lobby’s for or against them. The Executive branch is reserved for the Youth Governor, Lt. Governor, and their Cabinet Secretaries.  Throughout the conference, delegates participate in the Governor’s press conference, committee hearings, House and Senate sessions, and veto override session, all of which are grounded in a government foundation and include real-life aspects of political rules.

Participating in a wide array of activities, delegates are not only gaining valuable experience and knowledge, they are connecting to other teens across the state. This important program is available to all teen thanks to the support of our community. If you would like to make a contribution to ensure that we can continue to grow this program and offer this valuable program, please CLICK HERE.

For more information on how to get involved with this program, visit our Youth and Government page.