NEWBURY PARK — The Miller Family YMCA Youth & Government program is hosting an information night for current and potential Newbury Park delegates and their parents on Wednesday, September 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Art Trek in Newbury Park (703 Rancho Conejo Blvd.) The YMCA Youth & Government program is a leadership-building program is for teens in 9th through 12th grades.
About 50 teens typically take part in the Newbury Park program The teens meet weekly to learn about the legislative process and what it takes to participate in such roles as elected officials, judges, print and broadcast media, lobbyists and political party members.
The teens use their new skills when they gather with delegations from more than 90 California YMCAs at two training weekends in Fresno and again at the Model Legislature & Court Conference held over five days in mid-February at the State Capitol in Sacramento. More than 2,600 delegates fill the legislative chambers and state capitol conferences rooms to debate bills and pass laws.
“Youth & Government provides a wonderful educational experience about our democracy and the judicial, legislative and political process,” says Veronica Rodarte, Miller Y Youth & Government lead advisor. “Participants build self-confidence as well as public speaking and critical thinking skills in a fun and team-building environment.”
For more information, contact Veronica Rodarte at 818-429-8615, milleryouthgov@gmail.com
Other Youth & Government delegations are forming at the Yarrow YMCA (serving Oak Park, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village) 818-707-9622 and the Conejo Valley YMCA (serving Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Santa Rosa Valley), 805-523-7613.