4-H Capitol Experience
March 17-19, 2024
Lansing, MI
Registration is now open! Youth can register here for the event: https://events.anr.msu.edu/CapEx2024/
Registration for the March 19 Legislative Reception can be found here: https://events.anr.msu.edu/CapExReception2024/
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
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Darren Bagley, 4-H Educator
Email: bagleyda@msu.edu