Calling all rising 6th and 7th graders in Austin, Texas! We are hosting our very first My City, My Voice event to teach our middle school students about the city government and how to find their civic voice. Join the YMCA in exploring the purpose of city government and how youth as young as middle school age can get involved in making a difference in their community!

Date: October 13th, 2025
Time: 9AM –  3PM
Where: Austin City Hall – 301 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701

We recommend parents complete the registration process. The process includes the following steps:

• Complete a short list of question to collect personal information like name, parent information and email address
• Once personal information is complete, you will be directed to pay the registration fee
• Once submitted, parents will find a link in their email to complete a short authorization/consent form allowing their child to participate in the event. This is similar to what parents might sign before a field trip.
• After parent signature is complete, you are finished with registration!

Program Fee is $50 for the one day event. The fee includes lunch and a day full of opportunities for your teen to explore their local City Hall, learn about city operations, and understand decision making processes. Financial assistance  is available to help cover the event cost please email Megan Dern at [email protected]

Drop off and Pick up Policy:

• Drop off will begin at 8:45am. Parents must accompany their student inside city hall and sign them in. Drive through drop off will not be an option.
  • Please park in the garage located under city hall. Parking for drop-off and pick-up will be validated at check-in.
• Parents may come up to thirty minutes before release at 3pm to observe the final presentation and sign out their child.
• Only parent/guardians listed on the registration or emergency contacts marked as alternate pick up person on registration will be allowed to sign out children. Please be sure to include both parents on registration if you are unsure who might be doing drop-off and pick-up.

Teens will:

• Participate in workshops hosted by high-school and college aged YMCA Youth and Government Students/Alumni to learn about the functions of city government.
• Use tools for the workshops to identify an issue they are passionate about in their community.
• Draft a presentation including a short explanation of their topic, a poster board, and a final presentation in front of local experts and peers.

Additionally:

• Lunch will be provided for all student attendees, but we do suggest that students bring a water bottle
• Students should consider bringing a notepad, pen, and a computer or tablet for research.