NURTURING TOMORROW'S LEADERS
The Tennessee YMCA Youth in Government program offers high school and middle school students a hands-on experience with state government. Each year, over 2,500 students from across the state come together at the State Capitol, taking the places of our real government officials. Program participants serve as senators or representatives writing mock state legislation and learning to debate issues in committees and House and Senate Sessions.
Our high school programming also offers opportunities for participants to serve as Tennessee Supreme Court attorneys and justices, as Executive Branch commissioners and Lobbyists, or as Press Corps members.
Over 100 students from across the state serve in elected Officer positions which are voted on by their peers during conferences; These students take on elevated roles such as Speaker of the House, Lieutenant Governor, Chief Justice, Press Managing Editor, Governor and more. Each year, the CCE hosts a Leadership Conference for all statewide officers to further their leadership and character development and learn more about their positions and responsibilities.
High School Youth in Government conferences are 4-day events that take place in downtown Nashville at the State Capitol. Middle School conferences offer a condensed one-day experience as intro to Youth in Government programming and take place both in Nashville and regionally.
To start a Youth in Government delegation at your school, please contact the Senior Program Director, Stella London at slondon@ymcamidtn.org.
2026 CONFERENCE DATES
High School
- Capitol Conference: February 26 – March 1, 2026
- Tristar Conference: April 9 – 12, 2026
- Volunteer Conference: April 16 – 19, 2026
Middle School
- MS YIG Chattanooga 1: March 5, 2026
- MS YIG Chattanooga 2: March 6, 2026
- MS YIG Nashville 1: May 1, 2026
- MS YIG Nashville 2: May 8, 2026
WHAT IS YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT?
