FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A commitment to consistency, transparency, accessibility, and the safety of every student

YMCA Texas Youth and Government is excited to welcome students, advisors, District Directors, volunteers, staff, families, and school partners to another year of leadership development, civic engagement, and experiential learning.

As we prepare for the upcoming program year, we want our entire Youth & Government community to have clear and transparent information regarding changes to program registration and State Conference pricing.

These updates reflect our commitment to providing a consistent, high-quality experience for students across Texas while keeping student safety at the forefront of our decisions.

 

2026 PROGRAM REGISTRATION FEE: $85

For the upcoming program year, the Texas Youth and Government registration fee will be $85 per student.

Historically, participants have been assessed:

• $55 State Program Registration Fee
• $30 State Admin/Resource/Software Fee at District Registration

This year, those two fees will be combined into one $85 State program registration fee.

Why are we making this change?

Our goal is to create greater consistency and transparency across Texas Youth & Government. By combining these fees, every student participating in the program will be assessed for the same initial program registration fee, regardless of their district.

Because the $30 District Registration Fee is now included upfront, students will not be assessed that same $30 fee again at District Conference.

Local YMCAs will continue to establish their District Conference pricing based on their individual conference costs and YMCA standards. As a result, we anticipate that many District Conference costs could be approximately $80–$90, compared with approximately $110–$130 last year.

Actual District Conference pricing may vary by district.

Financial Assistance Remains Available

We never want finances to be the reason a young person cannot participate in Youth & Government.

Financial assistance through your local YMCA remains available. Families needing assistance should contact their District Director or local YMCA for information regarding available financial assistance and the application process.

Fundraising 101 – September 15 at 5:00 PM

In addition to financial assistance, we want to equip our schools, students, and advisors with practical tools to help make Youth & Government participation more affordable.

Join us virtually on September 15 at 5:00 PM for our Fundraising 101 session. This interactive session will provide fundraising ideas and strategies that schools, clubs, students, and advisors can use throughout the program year. It will also be an opportunity for participants to share successful fundraising ideas and best practices that have worked in their own communities.

Fundraising 101
September 15, 2026
5:00 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Register for Fundraising 101

Our goal is to create a statewide network where we can share ideas, learn from one another, and identify creative ways to reduce financial barriers for students who want to participate in Youth & Government.

 

STATE CONFERENCE UPDATE: PUTTING STUDENT SAFETY FIRST

As YMCA Associations across the country continue working toward Praesidium Accreditation, our organizations are strengthening policies, procedures, and best practices designed to protect children and vulnerable populations.

Texas Youth & Government is part of that commitment.

Praesidium Accreditation is a nationally recognized accreditation focused on organizational abuse prevention practices and creating safer environments for children and vulnerable adults.

As these safety practices evolve, some aspects of how we operate our conferences must evolve as well.

What is changing at the State Conference?

Beginning this program year, each student must have their own designated sleeping space while staying at the Kalahari Resort Hotel.

To meet this expectation, Texas Youth & Government will plan for a maximum of:

Three students per hotel room.

Each student will have an individual sleeping space, including a bed or designated pull-out sleeper.

We recognize that this change may create new challenges involving:

• Student allocations
• Team sizes and configurations
• Participant drops or additions
• School district requirements
• Rooming assignments
• Individual circumstances and accommodations
• Overall conference capacity

Our State Office is committed to working through these situations thoughtfully and collaboratively. We will work closely with District Directors, local YMCA Associations, schools, and, where appropriate, philanthropy and grant teams to identify solutions and help support continued access to the program.

 

2026 HIGH SCHOOL STATE CONFERENCE PACKAGE: $495

In 2025, the approximate cost for a three-student room package was $572 per student.

For the upcoming conference, Texas Youth & Government will offer the three-student room package for $495 per student for four days and three nights.

The $495 High School State Conference package includes:

• 4 days / 3 nights at Kalahari Resort
• Individual sleeping space for each student
• 2 lunches
• 2 dinners
• Conference entertainment and activities
• Official conference T-shirt
• Conference gift
• Transportation between designated conference facilities during the conference
• Full participation in the Texas Youth & Government State Conference experience

We recognize that this represents an increase compared with the approximately $425 four-students-per-room package that many participants paid last year.

We do not take an increase in cost lightly.

This change is being made with student safety as the priority, while our State Office continues working to control costs and provide as much value as possible within the conference package.

JYG final prices to be announced.

What Is NOT Included in the $495 High School State Conference Fee?

To help families plan appropriately, the $495 State Conference package does not include certain expenses that may be assessed locally or selected separately, including:

• District transportation to and from the Austin/Kalahari area
• Local YMCA administrative fees
• Breakfasts
• Additional meals or snacks not included in the conference package
• Tom Foolery Adventure Park wristbands/bracelets
• Other optional activities
• Any additional fees established by your local YMCA or District

Because local costs and transportation needs vary across Texas, families should consult their District Director or local YMCA for their district’s complete anticipated conference cost.

 

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

We understand that changes involving cost, lodging, registration, and conference operations affect students, families, schools, volunteers, and YMCA Associations differently.

That is why transparency will remain a priority for the YMCA Texas Youth and Government State Office.

When changes occur, we want our YMCA Youth and Government community to understand not only what is changing, but also why it is changing.

Our commitment is to continue working toward a program that is:

Safe. Accessible. Consistent. Student-led. High-quality. Transformational.

YMCA Youth and Government has always been about more than attending a conference. It is about giving young people a place to find their voice, develop confidence, experience democracy, build relationships, and discover their ability to lead.

We remain committed to protecting that experience while continuing to strengthen it for the next generation.

 

THANK YOU TO OUR YOUTH & GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY

To every student, parent, advisor, teacher, school administrator, District Director, volunteer, YMCA professional, Section Leader, donor, and community partner reading this announcement: thank you.

Thank you for trusting us with your students.

Thank you for investing your time in this program.

Thank you for asking questions, providing feedback, volunteering, advocating, fundraising, coaching, transporting students, and doing countless things behind the scenes that make YMCA Youth and Government possible.

Most importantly, thank you for believing in the potential of young people.

We recognize that change can create questions and challenges, and we appreciate your patience and partnership as we continue improving the YMCA Texas Youth and Government experience. Our State Office is committed to working alongside our districts and local YMCA Associations to navigate these changes together.

We are excited about the year ahead and grateful to have you as part of the YMCA Texas Youth and Government family.

Democracy must be learned by each generation.

With appreciation,

 

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AJ McCleod
State Director
YMCA Texas Youth and Government

 

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Jocelyn Sanchez
Program Director
YMCA Texas Youth and Government

 

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Edgar Duran Elmudesi, MSW
Engagement Manager
YMCA Texas Youth and Government