Programs
New Jersey Youth & Government hosts an annual three-day conference for high school students (grades 9-12) and Middle school students (grades 6-8), in which delegates from across the state have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in different aspects of civic engagement, from law to public policy to journalism and even more, helping them enhance their public speaking skills and gain real-world experience. ​
Legislative delegates get the opportunity to create mock bills based on what they would like to see changed or improved in the state. They then get the opportunity to present and have their bill debated in committees and chambers, as they would be in the New Jersey Congress, following the bill's journey to the governor's desk and potentially getting it passed.
Judicial delegates are able to participate in a mock version of the New Jersey Supreme Court in which delegates act as attorneys and argue a case that they are assigned in advance. These cases are based on real New Jersey Supreme Court cases. Delegates work in groups to write briefs and argue their cases in front of their courts, which will question them, hold a period of deliberation, and come to a decision!
Press delegates are able to simulate the relationship between government and journalists during a conference in which they help create media for the NJ YAG social media accounts, create engaging videos for the conference, and take images around the conference of other delegates to document the experience. Press delegates also get the opportunity to simulate a press conference between politicians and journalists in the annual Youth Governors’ race, where they are able to ask carefully crafted questions to candidates who are running.
Lobbyists are delegates who are able to engage in debate just like legislative delegates are, except they represent the beliefs of a specific group or organization and present that perspective to a chamber when they speak to show a different side of the topic presented in the bill. Lobbyists are also involved in other special events in conferences, such as Think Tank, in which they review bills written by Legislative delegates and find ways that they can help them strengthen their arguments.
The Junior Legislative Division (J-Leg) introduces middle school students to the core experience of Youth and Government by modeling the high school Legislative Division in an accessible, age-appropriate way. Delegates debate bills, practice parliamentary procedure, and develop public speaking and advocacy skills, build skills applicable to all areas of life . This year, J-Leg also features a new sampling initiative, giving students introductory exposure to specialized divisions such as Courts and Press and allowing them to explore their interests early and seamlessly transition into those roles when they enter high school YAG.