Overview

Participants work in local clubs (school-based or YMCA based) in their local communities throughout the year. They study the political party system, practice parliamentary procedure, discuss current social and economic issues, campaign for office and write legislative bills.

The culmination for the program is the Montana Youth Legislature and Model Supreme Court held each spring in Helena. Students convene in a mock session in our historic State Capitol, using the actual House, Senate, and the Old Supreme Court Chambers. For three and a half days, they progress through the steps of the legislative process to act upon the bills they have written. Students introduce their bills, testify in legislative committee hearings, debate on the floor of the House and Senate and ultimately send successful legislation to the Youth Governor for a signature or a veto. Student Attorneys argue appeals cases and Student Justices decide issues of Montana Law. In addition, participants also publish a daily newspaper, lobby for special issues, form a Governor's Cabinet, work as pages, and generally get a first hand look at the workings of state government. In each session, students also participate in caucuses, campaign for the following year's statewide offices, and enjoy the formal Governor's banquet and ball.

The Youth Governor elected each year represents Montana at the annual National Conference of Youth Governors in Washington, DC, and Montana students have also attended the YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs.

Montana's Youth and Government is part of the national YMCA Youth and Government Program which has over 40 participating states in the USA. Montana YMCA Youth and Government is organized under the auspices of the Helena Family YMCA.

Many other individuals are involved in the running of Youth Legislature including school advisors, chaperones, volunteer program staff, YMCA Coordinators and parents. We express our deepest thanks to these individuals who give so much support to our program!