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Youth in Government

A group of smiling teenagers and one adult pose for a photo in a hotel conference room with patterned carpet and artwork on the wall.
A grand white capitol building with a prominent dome stands behind a manicured lawn with flowerbeds, under a clear blue sky.

Interested in discussing important current issues and simulating state government? Then Youth in Government (YIG) is for you!

The program starts in late fall when students in grades 8-12 join a YIG delegation. Students can choose to serve as legislators, judges, attorneys, lobbyists, media representatives, or cabinet members. Eighth-grade students start by participating as a member of the Leadership Corps. As a group, students work together to prepare materials for their program areas, listen to speakers, and practice their presentation skills.

In October, delegates from all over the state meet with their local delegation to plan for the four-day conference that takes place in early January at the Minneapolis Hilton and the St. Paul Capitol Complex.

2026-27 Program Dates

Lakeville North High School
Thursdays
Oct 1-Dec 17 (no meetings Oct 8, 15 or Nov 26)
7-9 pm

Information Meetings for Fall 2026

Kenwood Trail Middle School, Auditorium
Tuesday, September 15, 7-8 pm

Century Middle School, Lecture Room
Wednesday, September 16, 7-8 pm

Lakeville North High School, Lecture Hall, C211
Thursday, September 17, 7-8 pm

Lakeville South High School, Lecture Hall, D202
Tuesday, September 22, 7-8 pm

McGuire Middle School, Lecture Hall
Wednesday, September 23, 7-8 pm

Community Learning Center, Studio 2
Thursday, September 24, 7-8 pm

YIG 2026-27 Calendar

Youth In Government Information
What is YIG? View the GENERAL INFORMATION sheet to find out more

Registration Information and Forms for YIG

Follow these steps to register:
All students must register with Lakeville Area Community Education and the YMCA.

  1. Register with Community Ed ($99, includes delegation shirt)
  2. Register with the YMCA at https://www.ymcanorth.org/locations/center_for_youth_voice/programs/youth_in_government/register.

YMCA Early Registration Window and Program Fee: September 2nd - October 2nd: $559

Delegates that register during the early registration window will increase their chances of being placed in their top program area choice. 

YMCA Regular Registration Window and Program Fee: October 3rd - October 30th: $599

Please review the YMCA refund and cancellation policy at: 
https://www.ymcanorth.org/locations/center_for_youth_voice/programs/youth_in_government/register

If you have trouble with the YMCA site, please contact their Customer Service Center at (612) 230-9622.

Fee Assistance Available
Fee Assistance with the YMCA
Fee Assistance through Lakeville Area Community Education

Resources

More Questions?

Model United Nations

Grades 7-12

Model United Nations (Model UN) is a hands-on civic learning program where students take on the role of diplomat from one of 193 countries, engage in respectful discussions about the state of the world, and explore solutions to international challenges.

The program starts in late Jan/early Feb when students join or form a delegation at their school. Delegations meet regularly to research countries, prepare for program areas, and practice presentation skills.

In early March, delegates from all over the state come together for our in-person LAUNCH event to help prepare for the three-day conference in late March.

In April, more than 500 delegates from all over the state will come together in downtown Minneapolis for the annual Model UN conference, where they meet in program area groups to discuss and debate global issues, pass resolutions, form diplomatic alliances, and draft legal opinions while practicing cooperation and diplomacy.


Model UN is a school run club and is not run through Community Education, but YIG and MUN have many of the same leaders and students.

For more info on MUN please contact Josh Broom, jgb2016@gmail.com