YOUTH & GOVERNMENT 

Program Orientation

Thursday, August 27, 2026
6:00pm-7:30pm

4801 Airport Plaza Dr.,Suite 400 Long Beach, CA 90815

Registration Deadline:
September 24, 2026

RSVP HERE

MODEL UNITED NATIONS
(Middle School Delegates, 6th-8th)

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Middle school students, or "Ambassadors," join delegations with peers from across California to explore global issues, discover new cultures, build leadership skills, and make lasting friendships. The five-month program includes a one-day training and a culminating two-night Model United Nations Summit.

At the Summit, students represent assigned countries in the General Assembly, Economic & Social Council, and International Court of Justice. They research their country's perspective, write position papers and resolutions, debate global issues, and develop collaboration, public speaking, and critical thinking skills.

 

Weekly meeting details:

Day/Time: Tuesday's from 6:00pm - 7:00pm (January - May)

Location: Lakewood Family YMCA 5835 E. Carson St., Lakewood, CA 90713

$800

CONFERENCESLOCATIONDATE
1-Day Training  North High School, TorranceMarch 21, 2026
MUN SummitMarriot Hotel, Los Angeles (LAX)May 1-3, 2026      

Registration Part 1:  Please reach out to Lead Advisor, Aiko Lopez, at aiko.lopez@lbymca.org to submit your parental agreements after reviewing the program guide and can ensure commitment to the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Youth and Government program.

If you're interested in applying for a scholarship, please complete the financial assistance application and be sure to attach required backup as requested on the application form. Your financial assistance application must be turned in at our Welcome Center.

Financial Assistance Application

Registration Part 2: 

Must attend the Parent Orientation

Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Location: 

Lakewood Family YMCA
5385 E. Carson St. Lakewood CA, 90713

Registration Part 3:

Lead Advisor will send instructions on the online process for registering for the statewide conference

  • Attend weekly meetings at your preferred YMCA branch on Thursday evenings
  • Attend the Training & Elections Conference: San Miguel, CA October 30-November 2, 2026
  • Attend the Leadership Retreat: Big Bear, CA January 16-18, 2027
  • Attend the Model Legislature & Court Conference: Sacramento, CA February 11-15, 2027
  • Participate in the association wide volunteer event: TBD
  • Leadership Development
  • Public Speaking Skills
  • College Application Benefits
  • Advanced Research & Writing Development
  • Values of Democracy
  • Community Volunteer Opportunities
  • Travel

CONTACT


P: 562.425.7431
E: aiko.lopez@lbymca.org

MODEL LEGISLATURE & COURT
(High School Delegates, 9th-12th)

Registration Deadline: Thursday, September 24, 2026

The Model Legislature and Court (MLC) program brings together a cross-section of the state's high school students for a six-month, learn-by-doing experience that teaches the values of democracy. High school students throughout Greater Long Beach and its neighboring cities meet in local delegations to discuss major issues facing California. Delegates will learn major leadership, planning, and social skills that will prepare them for two major conferences and for the future. The delegates utilize the skills they are taught to draft legislation and select government positions to role-play.

Weekly meeting details:

Day/Time: Thursday's from 6:00pm - 7:00pm (September - February)

Location: Lakewood Family YMCA 5835 E. Carson St., Lakewood, CA 90713

pro

CONFERENCESLOCATIONDATE
Training and ElectionsCamp Roberts, San Miguel, CAOctober30-November 2, 2026
Virtual Check InZoom Conference CallTBD: January
Model Legislature & Court ConferenceSAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Sacramento, CAFebruary 11-15, 2027

Registration Part 1:  Please reach out to Lead Advisor, Aiko Lopez, at aiko.lopez@lbymca.org to submit your parental agreements after reviewing the program guide and can ensure commitment to the YMCA of Greater Long Beach Youth and Government program.

Parental Agreement

Families may qualify to pay anywhere between $100-$1,400 for the Youth and Government program, depending on the family's household income

If you're interested in applying for a scholarship, please complete the financial assistance application and be sure to attach required backup as requested on the application form. Your financial assistance application must be turned in at our Welcome Center.

Additional scholarships will be available through CAL Y Youth and Government

Registration Part 2: 

Must attend the Parent Orientation

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025

Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm

Location: 

YMCA of Greater Long Beach
4801 Airport Plaza Dr., Suite 400, Long Beach, CA 90815

Registration Part 3:

Lead Advisor will send instructions on the online process for registering for the statewide conference

  • Attend weekly meetings at your preferred YMCA branch on Thursday evenings
  • Attend the Training & Elections Conference: San Miguel, CA October 30-November 2, 2026
  • Attend the Leadership Retreat: Big Bear, CA January 16-18, 2027
  • Attend the Model Legislature & Court Conference: Sacramento, CA February 11-15, 2027
  • Participate in the association wide volunteer event: TBD