The Triunfo YMCA, serving Agoura
Hills, Oak Park and Westlake Village, will kick off its Youth & Government
leadership program for teens with a Wednesday, September 11 barbeque. The barbeque will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sumac Park (600 Calmfield Ave. Agoura Hills). Youth & Government is for high schoolers interested in how government works while developing leadership, public speaking
and networking skills. Teens can sign up for the program during the barbeque.
Youth & Government began in
California in 1948. It is a statewide youth education program involving more than almost 80 YMCAs and more than 2,300 high school freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students form delegations through their local Y and meet weekly. Delegations attend two hands-on conferences at Camp Roberts near Paso Robles and a summit at the state capitol in
February.
Weekly meetings begin September 18 and
take place at Lindero Canyon Middle School (5844 Larboard Lane, Agoura Hills).
Last year, the Triunfo YMCA delegation had over 100 participants. “There is no
other program like Youth & Government. Teens get real-world experience about our state government. They study, debate and vote on government
positions as well as get a taste of what it’s like to be trial lawyers,
legislative analysts, journalists, justices and state legislators," says
John Napotnik, Triunfo Y program director. "The teens have fun and create lifelong friendships with kids from around the state."
Find out what's happening in Agoura Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Parents are welcome to attend the barbeque.
For more information, contact Napotnik at 818-707-9622, ext. 2318,
JNapotnik@triunfoymca.org. Programs are also forming at the Conejo Valley YMCA (serving Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Santa Rosa Valley), 805-523-7613, Miller Family YMCA of Newbury Park, 805-480-1030 and the Simi Valley Family YMCA, 805-583-5338. The California Youth & Government website
is http://calymca.org/.