Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government (YIG) is a youth-led, experiential learning opportunity, where students in 8th-12th grade get the opportunity to act as state leaders, debate current issues, and build leadership skills. YIG starts in September, with local meetings for ECCS students and ends with a 4-day conference at the beginning of January, where 1500+ students from across the state come together to participate in their own student-led, mock state government. Students are expected to attend and actively participate in delegation meetings, complete and turn in assigned program area work on time, and practice presenting their conference materials (bills, court arguments, etc.) in advance. Delegates will have time to work during meetings, but should plan for some preparation to be done in their own time. Registration is required through Community Education and the YMCA of the North. ECCS' Delegation has a unique link to register through the YMCA - please use this link to ensure that you are not charged more than once. Due to the YMCA's registration system requirements, you will have to add a credit card to your account, but it will not be charged at any point. Required Events: LAUNCH Training | Saturday, October 31st, 2026Time: 10 AM to 3:30 PM* Location: Fridley High School6000 West Moore Lake DriveFridley, MN 55432 YIG Conference | Thursday, January 7, 2027 to Sunday, January 10, 2027Time: 10 AM Thursday to 4 PM Sunday*Location: Hilton Hotel in downtown Minneapolis & the Minnesota State Capitol Complex *Times listed are subject to change. Once the location is confirmed for LAUNCH, times will be adjusted accordingly to accommodate travel time. Transportation will be provided to and from these events; students will meet at Chaska High School. Recommended Events: Chaska HS | Meetings in G232 during PM WIN, sign up in Flex Scheduler Thursday, September 24th - Info Session Thursday, October 1st Thursday, October 8th Thursday, October 22nd Thursday, October 29th Thursday, November 5th Thursday, November 12th Thursday, November 19th Thursday, December 3rd Thursday, December 10th Thursday, December 17th Wednesday, January 6th - Final Pre-Conference Meeting Chan HS | Meetings during WIN, sign up in Flex Scheduler Wednesday, September 23rd - Info Session Wednesday, October 14th Wednesday, October 28th Wednesday, November 11th Thursday, November 19th Wednesday, December 2nd Wednesday, December 9th Thursday, December 17th Wednesday, January 6th - Final Pre-Conference Meeting Middle School | Meetings at Chaska Middle School West, Room 130, from 3:45-5:15 PM Monday, October 5th Monday, October 26th Monday, November 16th Monday, December 14th Monday, January 4th - Final Pre-Conference Meeting
Youth in GovernmentYouth DevelopmentMinnesota YMCA Youth in Government (YIG) is a youth-led, experiential learning opportunity, where students in 8th-12th grade get the opportunity to act as state leaders, debate current issues, and build leadership skills. YIG starts in September, with local meetings for ECCS students and ends with a 4-day conference at the beginning of January, where 1500+ students from across the state come together to participate in their own student-led, mock state government. Students are expected to attend and actively participate in delegation meetings, complete and turn in assigned program area work on time, and practice presenting their conference materials (bills, court arguments, etc.) in advance. Delegates will have time to work during meetings, but should plan for some preparation to be done in their own time. Registration is required through Community Education and the YMCA of the North. ECCS' Delegation has a unique link to register through the YMCA - please use this link to ensure that you are not charged more than once. Due to the YMCA's registration system requirements, you will have to add a credit card to your account, but it will not be charged at any point. Required Events: LAUNCH Training | Saturday, October 31st, 2026Time: 10 AM to 3:30 PM* Location: Fridley High School6000 West Moore Lake DriveFridley, MN 55432 YIG Conference | Thursday, January 7, 2027 to Sunday, January 10, 2027Time: 10 AM Thursday to 4 PM Sunday*Location: Hilton Hotel in downtown Minneapolis & the Minnesota State Capitol Complex *Times listed are subject to change. Once the location is confirmed for LAUNCH, times will be adjusted accordingly to accommodate travel time. Transportation will be provided to and from these events; students will meet at Chaska High School. Recommended Events: Chaska HS | Meetings in G232 during PM WIN, sign up in Flex Scheduler Thursday, September 24th - Info Session Thursday, October 1st Thursday, October 8th Thursday, October 22nd Thursday, October 29th Thursday, November 5th Thursday, November 12th Thursday, November 19th Thursday, December 3rd Thursday, December 10th Thursday, December 17th Wednesday, January 6th - Final Pre-Conference Meeting Chan HS | Meetings during WIN, sign up in Flex Scheduler Wednesday, September 23rd - Info Session Wednesday, October 14th Wednesday, October 28th Wednesday, November 11th Thursday, November 19th Wednesday, December 2nd Wednesday, December 9th Thursday, December 17th Wednesday, January 6th - Final Pre-Conference Meeting Middle School | Meetings at Chaska Middle School West, Room 130, from 3:45-5:15 PM Monday, October 5th Monday, October 26th Monday, November 16th Monday, December 14th Monday, January 4th - Final Pre-Conference MeetingFall 2026