YOUTH & GOVERNMENT
6th-12th Grade Students
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MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT
(High School Delegates)
Registration Deadline: Thursday, October 9, 2025
The Model Legislature and Court (MLC) program brings together a cross-section of the state's high school students for a six-month, learn-by-doing experience that teaches the values of democracy. High school students throughout Greater Long Beach and its neighboring cities meet in local delegations to discuss major issues facing California. Delegates will learn major leadership, planning, and social skills that will prepare them for two major conferences and for the future. The delegates utilize the skills they are taught to draft legislation and select government positions to role-play.
Weekly meeting details:
Day/Time: Thursday's from 6:00pm - 7:00pm (September - February)
Location: Lakewood Family YMCA 5835 E. Carson St., Lakewood, CA 90713
2025-26 MLC Program Info
| CONFERENCES | LOCATION | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Training and Elections | Camp Roberts, San Miguel, CA | November 7-10, 2025 |
| Virtual Check In | Zoom Conference Call | TBD: January |
| Model Legislature & Court Conference | SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Sacramento, CA | February 12-16, 2026 |
Registration Part 1: Please reach out to Lead Advisor, Aiko Lopez, at aiko.lopez@lbymca.org to submit your parental agreements after reviewing the program guide and can ensure commitment to the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Youth and Government program.
Families may qualify to pay anywhere between $100-$1,400 for the Youth and Government program, depending on the family's household income
If you're interested in applying for a scholarship, please complete the financial assistance application and be sure to attach required backup as requested on the application form. Your financial assistance application must be turned in at our Welcome Center.
Financial Assistance Application
Additional scholarships will be available through CAL Y Youth and Government
Registration Part 2:
Must attend the Parent Orientation
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Location:
YMCA of Greater Long Beach
4801 Airport Plaza Dr., Suite 400, Long Beach, CA 90815
Registration Part 3:
Lead Advisor will send instructions on the online process for registering for the statewide conference
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MODEL UNITED NATIONS *NEW*
(Middle School Delegates, 6th-8th)
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Middle school students or "ambassadors" come together in delegations and participate in the program with peers from across California. They are given the opportunity to discuss international issues, discover other cultures, develop life-enhancing skills, and make new friends. The three-month program includes two in-person events, a 1-day training and the culminating 2-night Model United Nations Summit. There, delegates represent assigned countries as ambassadors and work to solve global issues with the skills they have acquired.
Ambassadors at the 24th Model United Nations will represent their selected/assigned country in the General Assembly, the Economic & Social Council, and the International Court of Justice. Youth Ambassadors will write position papers analyzing their country’s perspective on their committee topic, write and debate resolutions to promote their country’s priorities, and most importantly, learn to cooperate with those who have opposing priorities and positions on those topics.
Weekly meeting details:
Day/Time: Tuesday's from 6:00pm - 7:00pm (January - May)
Location: Lakewood Family YMCA 5835 E. Carson St., Lakewood, CA 90713
2025 MUN Program Info:
| CONFERENCES | LOCATION | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Training | TBD | March 2026 |
| SoCal Summit | TBD | April 2026 |
Registration Part 1: Please reach out to Lead Advisor, Aiko Lopez, at aiko.lopez@lbymca.org to submit your parental agreements after reviewing the program guide and can ensure commitment to the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Youth and Government program.
If you're interested in applying for a scholarship, please complete the financial assistance application and be sure to attach required backup as requested on the application form. Your financial assistance application must be turned in at our Welcome Center.
Financial Assistance Application
Registration Part 2:
Must attend the Parent Orientation
Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
Location:
Lakewood Family YMCA
5385 E. Carson St. Lakewood CA, 90713
Registration Part 3:
Lead Advisor will send instructions on the online process for registering for the statewide conference
