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PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM
Youth and Government is designed to help teens gain an appreciation and understanding of our State legislative process.
While many schools offer Civics and Government classes and most schools have Student
Councils or other extracurricular groups which focus on various aspects of government, only
Youth and Government provides students with the opportunity to learn in a society-wide
environment.
Each student selects an issue of real concern which can be addressed through State-level
legislative action. Students then research and write a Bill which is to be presented and defended in Committee sessions and Senate and Assembly sessions held in the historic State House in Trenton. Students have the opportunity to meet State Legislators and Department staff, all active supporters of the Program. Students learn how they can influence and change the course of government actions – Bills written by students have been adopted and passed into “real” laws.
Throughout the Program year students develop self-confidence in their individual abilities
through mastery of a significant body of knowledge including:
- The ability to organize and clearly present one’s ideas;
- Parliamentary Procedure (simplified) as established by Robert’s Rules of Order;
- Research, writing, and presentation skills necessary to defend the Bill; and
- Gain confidence in their abilities to communicate effectively with a wide diversity of
other students from across New Jersey.
GOALS OF THE PROGRAM
- To provide guidance, training, and experience in the theory and practice of
determining public policy.
- To confirm the principles of democracy in the life of each citizen.
- To encourage moral fortitude in the solution of public questions.
- To develop the attitude that through orderly action in the branches of government –
executive and legislative – the people can improve their current situations.
- To reveal the importance of the freedoms set forth in the Bill of Rights and in our
State and Federal constitutions.
- To show that an honest difference of opinion, with freedom to express it, is a healthy medium in which to attain personal dignity.
- To indicate that in our society, the ultimate judgments with respect to values and
goals must rest with the members of that society.
GOALS FOR EACH PARTICIPANT
- To understand America’s heritage of civil, religious, and personal liberties.
- To search for the facts and truths of public questions.
- To vote with intelligence and conscience.
- To participate actively in political and public affairs.
- To practice cooperation, tolerance, and good will in making democracy work.
BENEFITS TO THE STUDENTS
State legislators have taken an active interest in the program in their communities and at the State House. As a result, students have had opportunities to see how State government is run and have also had opportunities for internships at local and State offices.
- Unlike a classroom experience, Youth and Government is a hands-on program.
Delegates learn by doing and have the opportunity to try their hand at leadership in a safe learning environment.
- Young people from all over the State come together. They learn a great deal from
meeting each other and many forge lasting friendships.
- Participation improves college applications as most major schools in the country
recognize the value of a leadership role in YMCA programs. It also shows that the
student is interested in society, dedicated to an ongoing project, and has the ability
and maturity to work in such an environment.
- The participants work hard and the YMCA demands high standards of their
performance and behavior. Successful completion of the program will not only
enhance Youth and Government, but will broaden the opportunities for academic
success outside of the classroom. This success reflects well on the school, the
students, their families, and the community as a whole as the students learn to
contribute to the local and larger society in which they live.
- Perhaps the most important benefit of the program, not only for the students, but for society at large, is that it teaches the youth how to become active citizens in a
democracy. There has been an increased lack of confidence in government – Youth
and Government shows high school participants that they can play a very significant
role in New Jersey’s affairs.
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