By Jim Hollis

In March 2005, more than 120 teens and adults from across Michigan converged on Lansing to participate in the annual four-day conference that focuses on civic engagement and public policy issues. These high school students experience state government in action! Each year since 1982, more than 100 Michigan teens have learned how they can make a difference in their communities by understanding how they can influence public policy at the local and state level.

After choosing a current issue topic, delegates interacted with legislators, toured Michigan’s Capitol and Supreme Court, met with state agency staff, lobbyists, and other state-level experts, and discovered how policy is actually made. Through mentorship visits, teens explored careers in public policy. At the end of the conference, participants are charged with sharing their knowledge of the policy process and becoming involved with other civic engagement activities in their own communities.

4-H Capitol Experience 2006 is March 19–22. If you would like more information, please visit the 4-H Capitol Experience Web site or contact your local Michigan State University Extension office. For more information contact Cyndi Mark, Ph.D. 4-H Program Leader at 517-432-7602 or markc@msu.edu.