Apply for National Programs

High School students (grades 9-12) can apply to represent Vermont at several national YMCA programs and events. These national experiences have different requirements and deadlines, so please review the steps listed below each opportunity.

Youth Advocate Program

Sponsored by YMCA of the USA, this four-month program brings up to 2 high school students per state to YMCA National Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. to meet with their Members of Congress and advocate for policy solutions that help Ys address critical issues in our three areas of impact: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

• Applications open at the start of each school year, with selected Youth Advocates committing to virtual trainings and assignments from late fall through YMCA National Advocacy Days in the winter.
• All high school students (grades 9-12) who are YMCA members, volunteers, or participants in YMCA programs like Youth and Government are eligible to apply.

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

Changemakers Projects

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 deadline.

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

Conference on National Affairs

Every summer, Youth and Government programs from across the country come together to participate at the Conference on National Affairs (CONA). This weeklong conference is held the first week in July at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, North Carolina. All selected delegates prepare proposals on issues of national importance to present and debate during the conference.

• All high school students participating in the Vermont Youth Assembly can apply to represent Vermont at CONA. Students are evaluated based on delegation involvement, performance at assembly, leadership ability, and demonstrating the Y’s four core values.
• YMCA Staff/Volunteers, educators, and community members (including student peers) can also nominate a student for consideration using the nomination form.

Submit CONA Application or Nomination
Check the form for this year’s deadlines

National Judicial Competition

The National Judicial Competition (NJC) brings together teams of students from Youth and Government programs around the country to compete in either Appellate Court or Mock Trial hearings. This multi-day event is hosted annually by one of our state programs around the country (see conference page for current host and competition location).

• All high school students participating in the Vermont Youth Assembly can apply to represent Vermont at NJC. Students are evaluated based on delegation involvement, performance at assembly, leadership ability, and demonstrating the Y’s four core values.
• YMCA Staff/Volunteers, educators, and community members (including student peers) can nominate a student for consideration using the nomination form.

Submit NJC Application or Nomination
Check the form for this year’s deadlines

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 assembly, the Youth Governor of Vermont represents the state at the Youth Governors Conference in Washington, D.C. each June.

• Students are eligible to run for Governor at assembly during their junior year, and must complete the candidate declaration form to launch their campaign.
• If elected, the Youth Governor commits to attending the Youth Governors Conference in D.C. in June and representing Vermont until the election of their successor.

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