There will be a kick-off meeting for Minnesota YMCA Youth in Democracy at the Grand Marais YMCA on Thursday, September 20 from 6 to 7 p.m.
The course will be open for kids in 8-12 grades.
Minnesota YMCA Youth in Democracy holds a four-day experimental learning conference at the capitol in St. Paul in which students participate directly in a simulation of the processes of Minnesota government. This is the second year the local Y has run the program for area kids.
“Last year we had 11 students go to model assembly and two students go to model United Nations,” said YMCA Director Emily Marshall.
Kids who want to take part don’t have to belong to the YMCA.
The cost is around $500 (per student) to attend the four-day conference, but Marshall said, “We have gotten some grants and have done some fundraising and the kids will continue to fundraise so that we can offer this experience free of charge (transportation included). The kids do purchase some of their own meals while they are at the conference but we provide breakfast and do a couple of dinners together as a group.”
While Marshall is the advisor, the kids lead the program.
“Livi Nesgoda Works is the president and plans most of the agendas and leads the medians and guides other youth through conference preparation,” said Marshall.
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