Youth & Government / Model Legislature & Court (MLC)
Experience Democracy
in Action
High school students across California step into government through Model Legislature & Court (MLC)—sharpening their critical thinking, persuasive public speaking, writing, and research skills as they draft policy and debate court cases with fellow delegates.
What to Expect
Delegates choose roles within California’s legislative or judicial systems and meet weekly with their local delegation to prepare. Throughout the year, they come together with thousands of high schoolers from across the state—debating real issues, advocating in court, and passing bills in a full-scale government simulation.
Signups for the 2025-2026 MLC session will open locally around the state on various dates beginning July 1, 2025.
Need help registering or finding your local delegation?
Contact Megan Brennan, Program Director, at MeganBrennan@ymcaLA.org.
To learn more about the program, reach out to Ali Sheaffer, Associate Executive Director, AliSheaffer@ymcaLA.org.
Looking to support the program? Become an MLC volunteer here. Contact AliSheaffer@ymcaLA.org to learn more.
Dates & Times
Weekly meeting times are set by each delegation. Check with your local delegation for details.
- 78th MLC Training & Elections Program Event: November 7-10, Camp Roberts, San Miguel, CA
- 78th MLC Sacramento Program Event: February 14-17, Sacramento,CA
Ready to Join?
Who Can Join
MLC is open to all 9th-12th graders across the state.
Pricing
Program costs vary by delegation. Contact your local Y for details about pricing, payment plans, and financial assistance.
Where You’ll Be
You can join one of these local MLC delegations below. If you do not see a delegation close to you, you may be able to start a new delegation.
- Albany
- Anaheim Family YMCA
- Anderson Munger Family YMCA (Koreatown)
- Antelope Valley Family YMCA
- Berkeley
- Burbank
- CapCo-El Dorado
- CapCo-Gold Country
- CapCo-Sacramento Central
- Channel Islands Association
- Conejo Simi Valley
- Corona-Norco Family YMCA
- Crenshaw
- Crescenta-Canada
- Crescenta Valley
- Crowell Family YMCA (formerly South Pasadena San Marino YMCA)
- Culver-Palms Family YMCA
- DaVinci Science High School (El Segundo)
- Desert Family YMCA
- Diablo Valley YMCA
- East Valley Family YMCA (North Hollywood)
- EPIC-Pomona
- EPIC-San Gabriel
- EPIC-Tustin
- Fremont
- Fresno
- Gardena-Carson Family YMCA
- Glendale
- Greater Long Beach-Fairfield
- Greater Long Beach-Lakewood
- Greater Long Beach-Los Altos
- Greater Long Beach-Los Cerritos
- Hollywood YMCA
- Ketchum-Downtown YMCA
- Mid Valley Family YMCA (Van Nuys)
- Miller (Thousand Oaks)
- Montebello-Commerce YMCA
- NHHS (Newport Harbor High School)
- North Valley Family YMCA (Porter Ranch)
- Oakland
- Palisades-Malibu YMCA
- Pasadena-Sierra Madre YMCA
- Pittsburg
- San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA (Palos Verdes)
- San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA (San Pedro)
- Santa Ana
- Santa Anita Family YMCA (Monrovia)
- Santa Clarita Family YMCA
- Santa Monica Family YMCA
- SDSC La Jolla
- Sonoma
- Southeast-Rio Vista YMCA
- SRV/Valle Lobo
- SVC/East Palo Alto
- SVC/Palo Alto
- Torrance-South Bay YMCA
- Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
- Weingart YMCA Wellness & Aquatic Center (South LA)
- Westchester Family YMCA
- Westside (Collins & Katz Family YMCA)
- West Valley Family YMCA (Reseda)
- Wilmington YMCA
- Yarrow (Westlake Village)