United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP)
The United States Senate Youth Program sends two student delegates from every state to a fully-funded Washington Week of briefings with U.S. senators, cabinet officials, and military and judicial leaders. Delegates must be nominated by their high school principal based on demonstrated leadership in student government or civic organizations, and each receives a $10,000 college scholarship.
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ALA California Girls State
ALA California Girls State, run by the American Legion Auxiliary, is a weeklong residential program for rising senior young women to learn the operation of government by campaigning for and holding mock city, county, and state offices. The 83rd session runs June 22-27, 2026.
American Legion California Boys & Girls State
American Legion California Boys & Girls State is a weeklong, coeducational hands-on civics program where rising seniors build and run mock city, county, and state governments, campaign for office, and pass legislation. The 87th session runs June 20-27, 2026 at California State University, Sacramento.
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution – California
We the People is a national civics curriculum and competition in which student teams simulate congressional hearings, testifying as constitutional experts before panels of judges. California's state finals draw 200+ students to the Sacramento area each February, with the winning team advancing to national finals in Washington, D.C.
MOCA Teens
A paid, cohort-based program at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles in which high school juniors and seniors learn about contemporary art and museum work by collaborating on projects with artists, planning public teen events, and meeting museum professionals.
TeenPact California
TeenPact Leadership Schools' California program brings students to the State Capitol in Sacramento for a hands-on multi-day class in the legislative process, including a mock legislature, bill-writing, parliamentary procedure, and a public speaking workshop.
California Student Mock Election
The California Student Mock Election, run by the Secretary of State's office, lets middle and high school students cast ballots in a statewide mock vote timed alongside real general elections, giving students hands-on experience with the voting process before they are eligible to vote.