4-H Capitol Experience
March 16-18, 2025
Lansing, MI
Registration will open on December 1, 2024.
Registration for the March 18 Legislative Reception will open later this winter.
Youth in 9th grade through age 19 are invited to attend the 4-H Capitol Experience. You do not need to be a member of 4-H in order to attend the event, but all participants will be asked to enroll in 4-H Online upon completing their event registration.
Youth registrants will select an issue group according to their interests, which will be led by a teen facilitator. Issue groups will provide a space for youth to meet peers from across the state while talking about their ideas and what they learned. Youth will:
- Meet elected officials
- Hear from experts in policy representing a broad range of careers
- Hear from young people who have made a difference in their communities
- Discuss hot topics important to youth.
The 2024 registration fees will be $365.00, and include hotel accommodations at the Quality Inn University in Lansing. Please contact your local 4-H Program Coordinator or local 4-H office to inquire about local funding opportunities. Scholarships may also be available through your local Farm Bureau office.
Issue Groups:
Each issue group will be facilitated by a teen steering committee member supported by an MSU Extension staff person. Issue groups will serve as networking and learning groups throughout the event. Participants can choose from:
- Environment/Natural Resources
- Health
- Jobs & The Economy/Infrastructure
- Agriculture
- Civil Rights/Youth Advocacy
- Education/Teacher Retention
- Crime/Law Enforcement
Tentative Schedule
Sunday, March 17, 2024
1 p.m. Check-In
2 p.m. Welcome and Opening Activities (full group)
3-4 p.m. Issue Group Icebreakers
4-4:15 Break
4:15-4:45 p.m. Intro to Legislative Simulation (full group)
4:45-6:00 p.m. Issue ID & Bill Writing
6 p.m. Dinner
7-8:30 p.m. Bill Writing
8:30-9 p.m. Reflection and Recap (full group)
9-10 p.m. Free Time
10 p.m. Steering Committee Meeting
10:30 p.m. Bed Checks
Monday, March 18, 2024
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Travel to Capitol/Supreme Court
9 a.m. Capitol or Supreme Court Tours
10:15 a.m. Group Photo
10:45 a.m. Legislative Aide Visit
11:30 a.m. Lunch
1 p.m. Lobbyist Visit
2:30 p.m. Agency Visit
3:30 p.m. Free time
5 p.m. Issue Group Time
6 p.m. Dinner with Issue Groups
7 p.m. Committee Meetings Intro (full group)
7:30-8:30 Committee Meetings Simulation
8:30-9:00 Recap with Issue Group
9-10 Free Time
10 p.m. Steering Committee Meeting
10:30 p.m. Bed Checks
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
9 a.m. - Free Time at Capitol
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Legislative Reception, Central United Methodist Church
2 p.m. Overview of House/Senate (full group)
2:30 p.m. House and Senate Debate and Vote
3 p.m. Break
3:30 Bill Signing
5:00 Next Steps
5:30 Adjourn
4-H Capitol Experience Event Handbook
Follow 4-H Capitol Experience on Facebook
Darren Bagley, 4-H Educator
Email: bagleyda@msu.edu
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