How to enroll
Through a delegation. The delegation director registers students; delegations may add local fees.
- Check the Active Delegations List on the YMCA of the North page for your school
- Ask the delegation director to register you before Oct 30
By Regular registration Oct 3 – Oct 30, 2026 ($599). Early registration (Sep 2 – Oct 2, $559) has closed.
Youth in Government page ↗In plain words
A civics program run by the YMCA of the North. Students join a delegation at their school or a community group, prepare a bill, case or story through the fall, and spend four days at the Hilton in downtown Minneapolis and the State Capitol in January (Jan 7–10, 2027).
Great for
Kids interested in law, politics, public speaking or journalism
Less ideal if
Your kid can't commit to a four-day conference in January, or the cost ($599 regular registration plus any local delegation fees).
What it takes
Cost
$599 regular registration (2026–27), plus any local delegation fees
Format
In person · fall preparation, then a four-day conference in Minneapolis
Who
Through a school or community delegation
Time
Fall meetings, LAUNCH training, then the January conference
Step by step
- 1Find a delegation at your school or a community group on the Active Delegations List
- 2Register through your delegation director before Oct 30, 2026
- 3Attend LAUNCH training on Oct 31, 2026 with your adult advisor
- 4Prepare your bill, case or project and attend the Jan 7–10 conference
Key dates
- 6 DAYSRegular registration closes ($599)Fri, October 30, 2026
- 7 DAYSLAUNCH pre-conference training, 10 AM–3:30 PMSat, October 31, 2026
- 75 DAYSYouth in Government conference, Minneapolis and State Capitol (Jan 7–10)Thu, January 7, 2027
Add these dates to my calendar
Dates update on their own when an organizer changes them. Nothing about your child is stored.
Checked against YMCA of the North, Youth in Government 2027 program season on October 19, 2026. Suggestions, not guarantees: always confirm with the organizer.