The YMCA Youth & Government program is a statewide educational program, where teen delegates in the 10th-12th grades develop mock legislative bills, select legal and governmental positions to assume, attend statewide training conferences, and run for various elected offices.

The Santa Ana YMCA Youth and Government Program is committed to preparing our young adults to become the next generation of leaders in business, politics, education and community activism.

During the 2009-2010 school years, YMCA Youth and Government youth will:

• Participate in weekly Meetings as a delegate member to discuss issues facing California, as well as ways to implement solutions through the legislative and judicial process.

• Have a hands-on learning experience in writing bills, preparing briefs, selecting governmental positions to role-play and running for elected office.

• Attend a three-day training conference at Camp Roberts to prepare and finalize positions for Sacramento.

• Participate in a five-day government experience in Sacramento, where students role-play as elected officials and take over the historic halls and chambers of the State Capitol and Supreme Court.

• Will have an opportunity to be mentored by community leaders who are committed to making Orange County a great place to live and work.

This program will be used to foster, build, and fortify those life assets and character traits that will encourage high school youth to develop into involved, responsible adults who are respectable and ethical citizens.

Participants will develop the life skills that they will use even if they decide to pursue a professional career outside of government.

These skills will include: the development of citizen responsibility and integrity; social competence, problem-solving abilities and communication skills; self reliance and a sense of purpose; cultural awareness through the understanding of differing points of view; an increased awareness of societal issues; knowledge and insight of community needs and issues in their community and learning how to assist community organizations in meeting these needs; and how to apply ethical values to develop ethical leadership, teamwork and advocacy skills.