YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT 2025 - 2026 PROGRAM SEASON OVERVIEW

The YIG program season begins in early fall and runs through January. Use the timeline and outline below to stay on track during the season.

PROGRAM SEASON TIMELINE:

Recruitment
RECRUITMENT

August 2025 - Early November 2025

Registration
REGISTRATION

Late August 2025 - Late October 2025

Materials Prep
MATERIALS PREP

October 2025: Assignments begin

November 2025: Legislative bills & National Issues Forum proposals due

December 2025: Leadership Corps & Courts materials due

Conference Prep
CONFERENCE PREP

November 2025 - Early January 2026

Conference
CONFERENCE 

Thursday, January 8, 2026 - Sunday, January 11, 2026

RECRUITMENT

Recruitment begins in August and runs until the registration deadline. During the recruitment window, delegates and delegations should focus on:

  • Connecting with delegates from previous seasons 
  • Creating delegation meeting schedules
  • Presenting to classes and clubs 
  • Tabling in lunchrooms and common spaces 
  • Holding informational meetings for caregivers 
  • Identifying fundraisers and financial supports 
  • Identifying adult advisors

REGISTRATION

Registration for delegates and advisors opens in late August and will close in late October. After registration closes, registrations will not be accepted. During the registration window, delegates and delegations should focus on:

  • Delegation meetings
  • Recruitment 
  • Ensuring that delegates register for the conference by early November 
  • Confirming registration through the registration platform 
  • Turning in scholarship and financial aid materials 
  • Confirming that the delegation has enough adult advisors to maintain the 1 adult to 10 delegates ratio requirement at the conference 
  • Making arrangements and confirming plans to attend LAUNCH 

MATERIALS PREP

During the materials prep window, delegates and delegations should focus on:

  • Attending LAUNCH 
  • Preparing conference materials to meet submission deadlines 
  • Completing conference materials and uploading into the online platform by assigned deadlines
    • November 2025: Legislative bills & National Issues Forum proposals due
    • December 2025: Leadership Corps & Courts materials due

CONFERENCE PREP

In the six weeks leading up to the conference, delegates and delegations should focus on: 

  • Preparing for debates, arguments, and discussions at the conference 
  • Holding delegate meetings
  • Holding pre-conference meetings with delegates and their caregivers
  • Reviewing packing lists
  • Ordering delegation shirts
  • Finalizing transportation plans
  • Reviewing the YMCA Center for Youth Voice Code of Conduct and the conference dress code

CONFERENCE

Attend the 72nd annual Minnesota Youth in Government session! 

FOLLOW-UP

After YIG, delegates and delegations should complete the following: 

  • Complete the Appointed Official application for Youth in Government 2026 - 2027
  • Turn in a list of Steering Committee members to the CYV State Office
  • Apply for summer programs (Conference on National Affairs and National Judicial Competition)
  • Follow the YMCA Center for Youth Voice on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on CYV news!