Building future community leaders and helping with college readiness
Youth In Government (YIG) by the YMCA of Central Florida offers students the opportunity to serve their schools and communities as part of a yearlong model government and leadership development process.
Since 1936, YMCA Youth In Government (YIG) has given students around the country the opportunity to serve as part of a youth-run, youth-led model government process. The Florida YMCA YIG program was founded in 1957, and for the past 59 years, our delegates have written legislation on state issues that impact their families, schools, YMCAs, and communities. Many of our student-authored bills have gone on to become state law and our program is proud to have alumni such as congressman Dennis Ross, State Representative Dean Cannon (former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives), and State Representative Seth McKeel.
Get Involved
Typically YIG is available at one of our family centers and several middle schools and high school sites. Currently, though, YIG will only be offered virtually. For more information on getting involved, parents and teens can contact our Middle School Programs team.
Youth in Government, at all levels, is designed to help delegates understand that in order to lead, you must first learn how to serve others. This practice of servant leadership guides our program.
Program Activities
Students write bills on issues facing Florida at weekly meetings and attend a statewide trip, State Assembly, in the spring to argue their ideas on the House and Senate floors of our State Capitol!
Juniors, grades 6–8, participate in the legislative program only and write “bills” on issues they’re passionate about in the state of Florida. Seniors, grades 9–12, participate in activities relating to the three branches of government and take an end-of-year trip to our State Capitol. There, they put on a model government process with 600+ teens from across Florida!
Our Promise
Our model government process is designed to prepare students for a life of engaged and active citizenship built on the values of civil debate, statesmanship, and research-based policy solutions.
Students can earn up to six college credits towards college by participating in the program for 2+ years through the Civic Fellows Program in partnership with the University of South Florida—St. Pete.
Locations
Typically YIG is available at one of our family centers and several middle schools and high school sites. Currently, though, YIG will only be offered virtually. For more information on getting involved, parents and teens can contact our Middle School Programs team.
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Your child’s safety is our priority. Find out more about our commitment to keeping kids safe.
Youth Sports
Children improve their technical skills while learning about healthy attitudes and sportsmanship!