For Students

How does it work? You’ll work with your friends and participate in after-school YMCA DC Youth & Government clubs. In these clubs, you’ll talk about issues that matter to you and learn how government works in our City. Participants learn a lot, but always have fun.

During the fall, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with students from throughout the City at a day-long Youth Summit. At the Youth Summit, you’ll debate and discuss issues that matter to you. In the Spring, you’ll take part in Legislative Weekend, where you will write bills on how you’d improve the city and debate them.

Mayor Fenty, City Council Members, School Board Members, and newspaper and television reporters often attend YMCA DC Youth & Government events—so that they can find out what matters to you!

Return to Top

Participating Schools

The following schools are involved in the YMCA DC Youth & Government Program. If you don’t see your school listed, fill out the form below. You can get involved and start a delegation of your own to attend YMCA DC Youth & Government activities.

1. Banneker High School
2. Cardozo High School
3. Cesar Chavez PCHS: Capitol View
4. Cesar Chavez PCHS: Parkside
5. Friendship Edison Blow-Pierce Middle School
6. Friendship Edison Collegiate Academy
7. IDEA Public Charter
8. Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers PCS
9. Mayor’s Youth Leadership Institute
10. School Without Walls
11. Thurgood Marshall Academy
12. YMCAs throughout the city

Return to Top

Get Involved

• First Name
• Last Name
• Address 1
• Address 2
• City
• Zip
• Drop Down
  Select a State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersy New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
• Phone
• Email
• I want to: Participate in events Start a delegation Receive a brochure

Return to Top

Meet Youth Mayor Damien White

Damien White, 16, was born and raised in the District of Columbia and is a student at Friendship Edison Collegiate Academy. He has a very clear vision for the District and for the YMCA DC Youth & Government Program. Youth Mayor White is dedicated to doing what it takes to get young people interested and committed to learning about their city and improving their neighborhoods.

As Mayor, White’s priority is increasing student empowerment and political involvement throughout the city. Youth Mayor White was first introduced to YMCA DC Youth & Government when he was a 9th grader on the Cesar Chavez school debate team. A few students on the team were selected to form a YMCA DC Youth & Government delegation.

“I want to make it engaging.
I will take an active role
to inspire my peers.”
~Damien White

Return to Top