Youth in Government

Ohio-West Virginia Youth Leadership Association

Welcome to our YLA West Virginia Youth in Government!

For well over 60 years, West Virginia’s best and brightest students have been meeting annually to participate in Youth in Government! Cecil Underwood was Governor when he worked with our HI-Y students, advisors and staff to plan our first YG. Their work convened our first WV YG in 1958 at the Capitol. The founding principles Governor Underwood and those helping him built into Youth in Government remain our foundation today – integrity, volunteer service, responsibility, and citizenship.

YLA Youth in Government is distinctly different. We’re about citizenship, not politics, political careers, talk, or debate. YG seeks solutions for the common good as we lift others up to become their very best, work to change conditions so all succeed, and to make our make our schools, communities and state better than we found them.

In these three days at the Capitol, experience the process of state government by preparing and then presenting legislation in the actual House or Senate Chambers, make decisions to move West Virginia forward, create connections with peers and adults from across our state, and have a great time with a purpose. Make friends, learn all you can, put your best ideas forward, and make differences for good now and throughout your life.

YLA began as a State YMCA in 1867.  The Youth Leadership Association is inclusive, signaling an invitation to all to participate. New doors of opportunity are opening for more youth to benefit in all YLA programs. YLA youth will make even greater contributions to improving our communities, states, and nation.

You choose where you want to participate. Become a legislator, justice, page, press member, lobbyist or executive branch member.

Participating Dates

Download the 2026 Registration Packet