8th Grade Youth and Government Seminars
The Purpose
Our 8th graders learn the operation of state government, strengthen their understanding of the three branches of government, better understand the Constitution, and learn the responsibilities of citizenship.
The Students
Participation is open to 8th graders from every school and homeschoolers from across the state. The program currently reaches students from thirty (30) counties and seventy-seven (78) different schools. Our goal is for every county to participate.
The Classroom
The Capitol – Senate, House of Delegates, Governor’s Office, Supreme Court, other Constitutional Officers; the United States Federal Court and the Charleston Municipal Court.
The Instructors
Legislators, Judges, Department Heads, Program Volunteers, and YLA staff.
The Schedule
Session #1
February 19 – 21, 2025
Barbour, Boone, Brooke, Hancock, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, McDowell, Ohio, Wayne, Wood, Wyoming
Session #2
March 3 – 5, 2025
Braxton, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Mercer, Monongalia, Pleasants, Roane, Taylor, Tyler, Webster, Wirt
Session #3
March 5 – 7, 2025
Cabell, Doddridge, Harrison, Jackson, Mason, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Summers, Upshur
Session #4
March 10 – 12, 2025
Berkeley, Calhoun, Gilmer, Jefferson, Lewis, Marion, Morgan, Preston, Ritchie, Tucker
Session #5
March 31 – April 2, 2025
Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Monroe, Wetzel
Legislative Banquet
Students get to meet and interact with their Legislators at an evening banquet.
The Learning Model
Observation, questioning, and discussion with elected and appointed officials, as well as key government staff help students experience the complete process of governance.
The Sponsors
The 8th Grade Youth & Government Seminars are a program of the Youth Leadership Association in cooperation with the WV Department of Education, Governor’s Office, WV Supreme Court of Appeals, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, President of the Senate and Senators, Speaker of the House and Delegates, Charleston Municipal Court, United States Federal Court, WV State Bar Foundation, participating parents, schools and teachers, and Founder Al Emch from Jackson Kelly.
Now – enjoy, learn, help others, and make lasting differences for good!
For more information, please visit Youth Leadership.