Future Voters: For Teens

Local and State Level Mock Government

• YMCA Youth and Government: This premier program allows middle and high school students to step into the roles of legislators, judges, lawyers, and media representatives. Students draft bills and participate in local clubs before attending a culminating mock legislative session inside their actual state capitol buildings. You can find local chapters and registration steps directly on the YMCA Youth and Government Hub. 

• American Legion Boys State & Girls State: Highly respected, intensive week-long summer programs where high school juniors run their own mythical 51st state. Participants are elected to mock local town councils, county commissions, and state executive offices to learn political mechanics firsthand. Male students can apply via the American Legion Boys State Directory, while female students can access local units on the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Site. 

National and Federal Level Mock Government

• American Legion Boys Nation & Girls Nation: The pinnacle continuation of the state programs. Two elite delegates from each state are sent to Washington, D.C., to act as mock U.S. Senators, organize national political parties, and debate federal legislation. Program structure and session schedules can be reviewed on the American Legion Youth Programs Portal. 

• United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP): An extremely selective national initiative established by the U.S. Senate. High school student leaders undergo an intensive, week-long government immersion in Washington, D.C., and receive a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship. Application procedures and state selection contacts are hosted on the US Senate Youth Program Official Site. 

• Levin Center Civics Simulation: For students or educators wanting a self-guided experience, this center provides free, four-day immersive mock congressional oversight simulations. Students role-play as federal legislators investigating public policy, interviewing witnesses, and holding mock institutional hearings. Access these lesson plans and tools via the Levin Center Democracy Simulations Guide.  Ask a teacher at your school if they can provide this experience for you! 

International and Diplomatic Simulations

• Model United Nations (MUN): For teenagers wanting to shift focus from domestic government to international diplomacy, MUN allows students to represent different global nations in mock UN committee debates. You can find local events, training clinics, and conference calendars directly through the UNA-USA Model UN Resource Directory.