Ann Arbor Ymca

Youth in Government
Michigan Youth in Government (YIG) is a comprehensive program that teaches state governmental process in a fun, interactive, and exciting way. Participants learn about bill writing, parliamentary procedure, current issues facing the State of Michigan, and much more. Over the course of regular meetings, participants put their knowledge into practice through frequent debates. The YIG program culminates in a two-day conference at the State Capitol in Lansing, where participants take part in mock committees and legislative sessions in House and Senate chambers. Through separate middle school and high school programs, Michigan Youth in Government offers participants a chance to learn and apply their skills in age-appropriate settings.

Middle School Youth in Government

The Middle School YIG program runs from early September to late November. Regular meetings are held once a week in an after school club format at the Ann Arbor YMCA, Ann Arbor Open School, West Middle School, and Greenhills School.
Students who do not attend one of the above schools are welcome to join us at our YMCA meetings. We are also open to the possibility of bringing the program directly to your school. Clubs meet at least eight times on designated days between September and the November YIG conference. The conference will is traditionally held on the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. In their assigned role as Senator or Representative, participants introduce, debate and vote on bills that they and their peers have created. Leadership positions also include Lieutenant Governor, Clerk, Chaplain, and Committee Chair. Sign up for the Middle School program begins in September. Financial scholarships are available for middle school students who wish to attend the November YIG conference.  These scholarships are made possible through generous donations to the Strong Kids Campaign.  To obtain a scholarship application, contact Josh Humbel at 734-661-8012 or jhumbel@annarborymca.org

High School Youth in Government 

Designed to be more intensive and detailed, the High School YIG program runs from September through early March. Participants focus on governmental process, but delve deeper into the current issues facing the State of Michigan. With a heavier emphasis on debate skills and parliamentary procedure, students take a stance and develop detailed bills that reflect their personal and political interests. The conference, which is held in early March, runs from Wednesday to Sunday with daily activities at the Capital. During the conference time, participants function as either a Senator or Representative and work to lobby for and against bills created by their peers, including their own. Alternative roles to Representative and Senator include elected positions like Governor and Speaker of the House. Non-elected positions include lobbyists, lawyers (who conduct mock trials), pages, clerks, committee chairs, and cabinet members. Currently, club locations include the Ann Arbor YMCA and Greenhills School. Students who do not attend one of the listed schools are welcome to join us at our YMCA meetings. We are also open to the possibility of bringing the program directly to your school. Sign up for the High School YIG program begins in late September.

Please contact Josh Humbel at 734-661-8012 or jhumbel@annarborymca.org for more information.