Ohio Ace Education Marketplace

The Ohio Alliance of YMCAs Foundation is organized and operated exclusively to support Ohio YMCAs, including providing direct services and programs to local YMCAs. Ohio YMCA Youth & Government is a program of the Ohio Alliance of YMCAs Foundation. Ohio YMCA Youth & Government is a three-day learning conference in which students participate directly in a simulation of the democratic process. YG offers students the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of issues, develop critical thinking skills, and articulate their beliefs while engaging constructively with those who hold like and opposing views. YMCA Youth & Government includes all three branches of government, as well as the Press Corp. In the legislative program, student representatives and senators elect their leadership, research current events, and write bills throughout the year. For these legislators, the mock legislative experience culminates by debating their bills on the Ohio House and Senate floors and seeking signature. Students also can participate as lobbyists and pages. The executive branch of YG includes a race each year for Youth Governor. Candidates create platforms and advocate their qualifications during the gubernatorial debate and through “grassroots” campaigning. Once elected, the Youth Governor becomes the leader and face of the program. The Youth Governor hand-selects his or her student cabinet who seek the passage or failure of bills based on the Youth Governor’s platform. In the judicial program, student justices preside over a Youth Supreme Court. Student attorneys prepare briefs for the Court, as well as present oral arguments. The student justices, then, deliberate and issue their opinion. Since media can be considered the fourth branch of government, YG includes a student Press Corp. Student journalists research and write articles, post to our blog, and conduct taped interviews to keep the rest of the participants up-to-date at each event and throughout the entire program year.