Welcome to the Largest YMCA Youth and Government Program in the United States!
We provide civic and social outreach programs for middle and high school students from every county in Kentucky, as well as from areas of Southern Indiana and Northern Tennessee. Our programs help students become engaged citizens and servant leaders, inspired to affect change in their school, community, Commonwealth, nation, and world.
“Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right...and a desire to know.”
John Adams
"The more teens are exposed to high-quality civics education in high school…the more likely they are to be engaged in community service and voting as young adults."
National Association of State Boards of Education, as reported in Education Week
"The better educated our citizens are, the better equipped they will be to preserve the system of government we have."
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard for democracy, therefore, is education.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
GOVERNMENT AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS FOR 6TH - 12TH GRADERS
Student Y
Student Y Members are 6th - 12th graders who receive discounts, make a positive community impact, join school chapters + more!
CURRENT YEAR OPEN / NEXT YEAR OPENS JULY 1
LTC
Leadership Training Conference (LTC) is a 4-day, FUN-filled, conference for 6th - 12th graders that builds servant leaders through a focus on personal discovery.
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW
KYA
Kentucky Youth Assembly (KYA) is a 3-day immersive conference during which middle and highs school students serve as part of a model state government.
INTENTS OPEN NOW!
Y-Corps
Y-Corps is a service-learning program for 7-12th grade students who want to make a difference in their communities, the Commonwealth and the country.
2026 REGISTRATION CLOSED
Go For It (GFI)
Go For It (GFI) is a three-day inspirational and motivational character development teen leadership retreat for 6th - 12th graders.
REGISTRATION OPENS IN SEPTEMBER
CTA
Commonwealth Teen Advocates (CTA) empowers high schoolers to become informed and engaged advocates for issues that matter to them.
REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 24, 2026
National Conferences
Delegations of Kentucky high school students are annually represent the Commonwealth at national YMCA Youth and Government conferences.
REGISTRATION BY INVITATION ONLY
KUNA
Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA) is a 3-day conference in which 6th - 12th graders participate directly in simulated international diplomacy.
INTENTS OPEN IN SEPTEMBER 2026
PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS
Alumni Association
ADULT PROGRAM: KY YMCA Alumni Association members broaden their career network, provide/receive mentorship, support future leaders, and have fun! For KY YMCA program alumni 27 years of age and up.
Next Gen Student Y
ADULT PROGRAM: Next Gen members grow their career network, receive mentorship, support future leaders, and have fun! For program alumni who are high school grads up to 26 years of age.
Friends of the Y
ADULT PROGRAM: Friends of the Y are adults who did not participate in KY YMCA programs but want to attend alumni events and support future leaders.
Volunteers
ADULT PROGRAM: Volunteers fill vital roles at KY YMCA youth and government, leadership development, advocacy, and service learning programs. Volunteers are at the heart of what we do.
Follow Us On Social Media
Below is the live feed to our main Instagram page. This page is primarily focused on sharing registration deadlines, events, highlights, and special programs. Wea also have Student Y and Media Corps Instagram pages specific to those program. You can also find us on Facebook and LinkedIn where we share a lot of the same information but focus more on communicating with parents, volunteers, donors, and partners. Still want more? Check out our YouTube page with videos from our past conferences.