YMCA of Glendale
Delegates walking to their sessions Delegates walking to their sessions
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At A Glance

Empower your high school student to find their voice, build critical thinking skills, and practice real-world leadership with the Model Legislature & Court (MLC) Program at the YMCA of Glendale!

As part of California YMCA Youth & Government, MLC is a flagship experiential civic engagement program designed for students in grades 9 through 12. Delegates meet weekly to learn the inner workings of state government, draft original bills, practice judicial advocacy, public speaking, and debate current statewide issues. Delegates step directly into the shoes of senators, assembly members, lawyers, judges, lobbyists, and journalists.

The program year culminates in two transformative, multi-day conferences where delegates put their training into action alongside thousands of peers from across the state: Camp Roberts & Sacramento.

Registration Deadline: September 17th, 2026

Price: $900 (Scholarships Available)

Where: 140 N. Louise St. Glendale CA, 91206

Price Includes:

  • Camp Roberts Training Conference (includes lodging, all meals Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)

  • Volunteer Advisors

  • Sacramento Conference (includes hotel room cost, all dinners)

  • Sweatshirt

  • Bus to Camp Roberts & Flights to Sacramento

delegates at Camp Roberts

Camp Roberts | Training & Elections Conference:

Held October 30th - November 2nd,  at the Army National Guard Base in San Miguel, CA, this foundational weekend brings delegations together for intensive skill workshops, bill introductions, mock trials, and state officer candidate debates. It provides delegates with the tools and confidence they need to step into their official leadership roles.

delegates in the capitol

Sacramento | Model Legislature & Court Conference:

Held February 12th - 15th, the pinnacle of the MLC program year! Teen delegates take over the real California State Capitol and downtown convention spaces in Sacramento. Over four days, participants debate original legislation on the actual Senate and Assembly floors, argue cases in official courtrooms, hold press conferences, and vote on statewide elections.

Parent Handbook

Dress Code

Code of Conduct

Program Area Guide

WHAT IS YOUTH & GOVERNMENT?
Youth and government is a national YMCA Program for students in the 9th-12th grade. The program enables young adults to prepare for post-high school opportunities via moral and political leadership through training in the theory and practice of developing public policy.

WHY JOIN YOUTH & GOVERNMENT?
Ask a Youth and Government veteran what attracted them to join.
Was it the thought of over two thousand high school students from all over California converging on an army base for training conferences? Or the idea of taking over two four star hotels and the State Capitol? At first, they would probably admit that. For most it starts with friendships, both old and new.  Then the realization that they become a part of something  bigger than themselves, bigger than their cliques from high school, manifests.
For many, it’s a glimpse into what college is going to be like, exchanging ideas with the best and the brightest from all over the state and realizing the motto, Democracy must be learned by each generation. 


What does the registration fee cover?
 
The fees cover:

  • Conference Fees
  • Transportation costs
  • The cost of a sweatshirt, delegation dinner, and program supplies
  • Do I get a refund if I drop from the program?
  • The first payment of $225.00 is a deposit due before September 24th, and if you drop after October 2nd, the deposit will not be refunded. 

For Questions, please Contact: 

Robbie Messler - Lead Advisor

rmessler@glenymca.org

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