Education & Leadership

The YMCA cares about teens. The YMCA cultivates teen leaders. The YMCA creates opportunities for teens to contribute to their communities.

Y Teen programs partner with families, schools, businesses, and the entire community to help provide brighter futures for young people. Teen programs include youth development activities, leadership groups, community service projects, exposure to diverse career options, after-school activities, tutoring and mentoring, sports, camping, strength-training, and fun, recreational events.

YMCA Youth & Government

9th - 12th grades

Democracy must be learned by each generation. Each September for six months, more than 2,000 high school students throughout California learn first-hand how our state government works—not by watching, but by doing! The program culminates with teens serving as delegates at their state conference, debating bills on the floor of the legislature and participating in Court and other Legislative programs. Then there are the dances, elections, talent shows, and socializing—also part of what makes this a great experience.

Model United Nations

Starting in January!

Students 6th-8th grade step into the shoes of ambassadors from United Nations member countries to debate current issues on the organization’s agenda. The program culminates at the Model UN Summit in May where Y’s from all over California come together to debate current issues, prepare resolutions, and resolve conflicts.

Y- Achievers

6th-8th grades

Middle school students will spend two hours after school at the Y participating in structured homework time, working out, and healthy cooking classes. Achievers will have the opportunity to volunteer side by side with YMCA staff to gain experience leadership skills and earn hours that can be used for school or job applications.

Counselor in Training (CIT) and Leader in Training (LIT) Teen Leadership Programs at Camp
The camp environment provides a unique opportunity for youth to build leadership skills, particularly in assisting counselors with younger campers. The goals of CIT and LIT camp programs are to teach the general skills of leadership that can be used at school, home and community (not just at camp.) For younger camp leaders (ages 13-15), the curriculum includes working with younger kids at camp, but often includes community components like volunteering your local YMCA. Counselors-in-Training or "CITs" are the oldest campers who typically want to apply for a job at camp the next summer, maybe as a Jr Counselor or some other supporting role. They need to learn more specific skills for working with kids and co-workers, and more experience planning and leading activities. Both programs give kids age-appropriate challenges that build their skills, confidence and capacity for working with people of all ages