In order to foster a rewarding and challenging program, the District Conference allows students to qualify for the right to participate in the State Conference. District Conferences are one-day, qualifying, regional competitions that students and mentors look forward to as great warm-ups for the much larger State Conferences several months later.

Each year, months of hard work and countless man hours culminate with the Texas Youth and Government State Conferences.  These Conferences host select delegates from all districts in multiple program sections and invite them to showcase their political skills and learn from their peers. By coordinating the efforts of volunteers, staff, and delegates, we hope to make each year’s State Conference better than the last, fostering a unique and healthy competition for all.

Our High School State Conference takes place the last weekend in January of each year, and our Middle School (Junior Youth and Government) State Conference takes place the last weekend in February.

The National Judicial Competition (NJC) brings together Youth and Government participants from around the country to face off in mock trial and appellate competitions. Teams to represent Texas will be selected based on the current program year’s State Conference results.

NJC allows students to test their speaking and rhetoric skills. Delegates work in groups to prepare speeches and arguments about an assigned case and face competition from YG participants from around the U.S.

National Advocacy Days (NAD) 2018 takes place Tuesday, March 6^th through Thursday, March 8^th.  The Youth Advocate Program officially begins the evening of Monday, March 5^th.

Y-USA’s Government Relations and Policy office is excited to continue the Youth Advocate Program at National Advocacy Days for the fifth year.  The program is designed for high school Youth and Government students who are passionate about advocating on behalf of the Y’s agenda in support of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Youth Advocates will participate in National Advocacy Days activities as well as special programming facilitated by Youth and Government staff. This programming will help connect young people to the Y and aims to engage them as Y supporters and advocates. The program also exposes students to national policymaking, Y-USA advocacy efforts, program alumni, public policy career tracks, and more.

** IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: The Texas YG State Office will cover students’ registration fee only ($500). This fee does NOT include airfare to and from D.C. or additional spending money.  Students are responsible for these non-included items.

Read more about NAD.

Find the application timeline and questions here.