Conference on National Affairs (CONA)

Every summer, Youth and Government programs from across the country come together to participate at the Conference on National Affairs. This weeklong conference is held in July at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in North Carolina. Delegates come together to debate proposals of national importance.

All students who participate in the Youth Assembly conference are eligible to attend CONA. Students are chosen based on delegation involvement, performance at conference, leadership ability, and demonstrating the Y’s four core values. If you are interested in representing New York, please apply for consideration. If you are an advisor and would like to recommended your student, please submit your student for consideration. Delegates will be chosen at the closing session at state conference.

National Judicial Competition

The National Judicial Competition brings state delegations from around the nation to participate in Mock Trial and Appellate court competition. Below is information about NJC for 2024:

National Judicial Competition 2024
July 29th-August 1st, 2024
St. Paul Capitol Complex
DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul Downtown
Hosted by YMCA of the North

All students who participate in the Youth Assembly conference are eligible to attend NJC. Students are chosen based on delegation involvement, performance at conference, leadership ability, and demonstrating the Y’s four core values. If you are interested in representing New York, please apply for consideration.

YMCA USA Youth Advocate Program

Each year, the YMCA USA host the National Advocacy Days in Washington D.C. Members from across the country including CEOs, staff, and volunteers advocate for YMCAs legislative priorities by meeting with members of Congress. YAG teens who are interested in this program will be advocating on the Y’s policies of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Youth Advocate Program introduces students to federal policymaking, Y-USA advocacy efforts, program alumni, public policy careers, and much more.

Youth Advocate Program
February 11th-14th, 2024
Washington, D.C.
J.W. Marriott Hotel

Students interested in the Youth Advocate Program should submit an application by September 29th, 2023. 

Youth Governors Conference

The YMCA Youth Governors Conference brings together high school students serving as the Youth Governor (or equivalent Presiding Officer role) of their YMCA Youth and Government state programs.

After being elected at our High School Assembly, the Youth Governor of New York represents the state at the Youth Governors Conference in Washington, D.C. each June.

• Students are eligible to run for Governor at our High School Assembly during their junior year, and must complete the forms required to become a candidate.
• If elected, the Youth Governor commits to attending the Youth Governors Conference in D.C. in June and representing Rhode Island until the election of their successor.

Learn More Here
Check the conference page for this year’s dates.

YMCA Changemakers Project

High school students in all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico are invited to propose a YMCA Changemakers Project that addresses a critical issue or need in their communities. YMCA of the USA will select outstanding proposals from across the country to compete for funding to implement their projects.

The issue/need you select is entirely up to you, but should be directly connected to your local community. Each project must be led by two (2) student project leaders. Additional students from your community are encouraged to support the project, but only two students can apply as leaders.

• All high school students (grades 9-12) in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico are eligible to submit a project proposal (all proposals must have 2 project leaders). No prior experience or participation with the Y or YMCA programs is required.
• Proposals selected to compete for funding will be notified following the application deadline.

Learn More & Apply Here
Check the application for this year’s deadlines