The Youth in Government (YIG) program helps to create the next generation of good citizens. Through our programs, we demystify local, state and national governmental systems so tomorrow's adults will know how to effect change within these systems. We expand horizons so young people will understand their role within a global society. We do this through a series of programs, conferences, events, trips, and trainings. These include our High School Model Legislature and Court program, our Middle School Model Legislature, our Middle School Model United Nations, our Horizons Values Conference for middle and high school students, our YCorps summer service trip, and other national conferences, events, and competitions.
The program uses the service-learning model in the firm belief that leadership is developed by doing. High school students help provide leadership for our middle school programs, while college students -- alumni of the Youth in Government program -- provide leadership for our high school programming. All programs are guided and directed by committed adult volunteers and YMCA professional staff.
Join us for these virtual sessions!
Welcome to YIG! This virtual session is for any YIG delegate who wants to know more about YIG. If you've got questions about the conference, your role, how to find a bill topic, what to wear, anything at all - join us! If you've got ideas about how we can make the conference even better, this is a great place to share! The YIG elected officials, leadership and staff will be on this meeting to answer any and all questions. There are two sessions:
Sunday, September 10 at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Careers and Government and Politics - This session is for anyone interested in pursuing careers or opportunities in government, politics, campaigns and more. Join several YIG alumni who are working as Congressional staff, campaign staff, and career governmental staff attorneys to learn about their paths to these careers. They will answer your questions and provide tips for taking your interest in YIG and creating a path for you to follow for similar careers. This is a great time to begin networking with alumni who care about helping the next generation of YIG students find pathways to these careers!
Sunday, September 17 at 6 p.m.
Scholarships are available to students with families with documented financial need.
Click Here to Apply for YIG Scholarship (Middle School)
Click Here to Apply for YIG Scholarship (High School)
High School YIG Documents
High School Delegate Registration
2023 High School Candidate Profile and Declaration
Mock Trial Presiding Judge Application
Middle School YIG Documents
2023 Middle School Delegate Registration
2023 Middle School Candidate Profile and Declaration
Middle School Model UN Documents
Model UN Delegation Registration and Country Selection
Model UN Delegate Registration
Model UN Scholarship Application
Model UN Resolution Submission
Model UN High School Resource Staff Application
If you are interested in starting a Youth in Government Program at your school, e-mail our Executive Director, Mary Capers Bledsoe at mcbledsoe@ymcagreenville.org.
Middle School Youth in Government
Middle School Model Legislature
The culmination of the Youth in Government program is the annual Model Legislature. This conference provides delegates an opportunity to learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process as well as debate and discuss issues with their peers from throughout South Carolina. More than 300 middle school students participate in this three-day conference annually.
When and where is the conference held?
The conference is held each year in Columbia, SC. The 2023 conference dates are November 12th-14th. Students meet in the Statehouse and use the administrative buildings on the Statehouse grounds. At night, all students conduct all activities at local conference hotels.
What do delegates do at the Conference?
While at the conference, students participate in a simulation of South Carolina's democratic process. Acting as Senators and Representatives, students write, debate and vote on legislation. As candidates, students experience the rich spectrum of activity that constitutes our political process. As media delegates, students publish a newspaper. Officers elected by students serve as Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House.
Elections
Middle School students serve as Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker of the House. Elections are held in the fall prior to the conference, following a series of virtual Town Halls where delegates meet the candidates.
2023 Middle School YIG Candidate Profile and Declaration
How much is the conference?
The Youth in Government MSML conference is approximately $360/delegate. This includes all conference materials, hotel fees and two meals. Need-based scholarships are available.
How do students participate?
Students traditionally participate in the Youth in Government program through their school or another community group.
High School Youth in Government
WHAT IS SC YIG?
South Carolina YMCA Youth in Government is a year-round series of conferences, trainings, volunteer opportunities and other events. All program components help high school students learn to take their passion and enthusiasm for strengthening our state and nation by joining with other students through civic engagement and active democracy.
Fall Programs Include:
Pawleys Island Planning Conference – September (dates TBD). Select group of students will gather to help set goals, make recommendations, and plan for 2023 Youth in Government program.
YIG Leadership Training Conference - Second or third weekend of October (dates TBD). All students in appointed and elected leadership positions must attend.
MODEL LEGISLATURE AND COURT
Model Legislature & Court Conference is the culmination of YIG participation. The Model Legislature & Court Conference brings together students from across the state for a hands-on opportunity to experience democracy by creating a model state legislature and judicial system. The conference provides delegates an opportunity to learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process, as well as debate and discuss issues with their peers from throughout South Carolina. More than 1,100 high school students participate in this three-day conference annually.
When and where is the conference held?
The conference takes place in Columbia, SC. The dates of the 2023 conference are November 1st - 4th. During the day, students are at the Statehouse, the Supreme Court, the Columbia Convention Center, and other downtown conference spaces. At night, all activities are at the Columbia Convention Center and the South Carolina Fairgrounds. Students are housed with their schools/delegations at downtown Columbia hotels.
What do delegates do at the Conference?
While at the conference, students participate in a simulation of South Carolina's democratic process. Acting as Senators and Representatives, students write, debate and vote on legislation. As candidates and lobbyists, students experience the rich spectrum of activity that constitutes our political process. As media students create and publish a nightly newspaper. As attorneys and justices, students compete on mock trial teams, or on moot court teams (appellate). Officers elected by students serve as Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Secretary of Education and Comptroller General.
How much is the conference?
The Youth in Government Model Legislature & Court Conference conference is approximately $470/delegate. This includes all conference materials, all fall activities except the Pawleys Planning Conference, hotel fees, and transportation at the conference. Need-based scholarships are available.
How do students participate?
Students traditionally participate in the Youth in Government program through their school or another community group.
Election Information
Elections
Election Guidelines to be posted shortly.
High school students run for office at the fall conference and serve the following year. Schools and delegations are divided into District One (Greenville County, Pickens County, Spartanburg County) and District Two (all other schools/delegations). Interested students may run for positions assigned to their district. Both districts may run candidates for Youth Governor. More information and explanations of roles and responsibilities may be found in the Candidate Profile link.
- Additional Election Information
- 2023 Candidate Profile
Email Mary Capers Bledsoe for more information.
YIG Service Committee
*NEW* Apply here to be part of the YIG Service Committee! Members will help plan and implement new Service Saturdays across the state.
Support Our Annual Campaign
Support our Annual Campaign!
- All donors will be listed on our website, on our social media, and in our Program Guide!
Join Our Alumni Network
Are you a YIG alumnus? Join our network to continue to be part of our work.
THANK YOU TO OUR TEEN SERVICES DONORS
Thank you to our donors, without whom we would not be able to do fulfill our mission of not turning anyone away for a lack of ability to pay. Our donors help support our Youth in Government Scholarship Campaign and the Achievers program.
If you would like to invest in our programs, you can donate here!
Advisor Information
YIG Delegations are led by advisors, typically teachers, administrators or volunteers with a school or community organization. If you are interested in starting a Youth in Government program, contact Mary Capers Bledsoe, Executive Director. We provide support to new delegations including volunteers and staff to help with recruiting and conference prep.
For existing advisors, all delegate registration links, candidate forms, specialty roles forms, etc., along with payment worksheets can be found at our linktr.ee. Payment worksheets are locked. Look for the password in an email. If you have not received that, contact Mary Capers Bledsoe.