Know Your Government  Conference 4-H is learning by doing!

KYG 2008, February 16-18, Boise

• TVTV Broadcast of the Mock Legislative Session Sunday, February 17, 4:30 p.m. MST (PDF)

• New Capitol Brings New Obstacles, article by KYG News Editor, Madison Crookham

 On June 26th, the Planning Committee and Reporters toured the old Ada County Courthouse, which is serving as the temporary Capitol for the legislature while the Capitol is being renovated.

KYG 2008 Brochure, Inside, Outside (pdf) (coming in September)

KYG 2008 Legislative Committees and Information on Bills (coming in January)

KYG Dress Code (Examples of what to wear when)

KYG 2007 PowerPoint (pdf)

What is it?

Do you want to learn how Idaho’s government works? Visit the capital of Idaho? Meet legislators, the governor, and Supreme Court justices? Spend a weekend away from home in the company of 4-H members from across the state? Then this conference is for you. At the Know Your Government Conference you can:

        Become a legislator or lobbyist and debate a bill in a mock committee meeting and try to pass it in a mock floor session.

        Become an attorney, witness, defendant, or bailiff and participate in a mock trial.

        Become a reporter and interview delegate legislators, lobbyists, and VIP’s, and produce a videotape and newsletter.

        Have breakfast with legislators and judges.

        Tour the Capitol and observe the legislature in session.

Is this a project?

Yes it can be. Delegates are encouraged to complete the citizenship project Exploring Citizenship, My Government (#11002).

When is it?

Washington’s Birthday weekend, February 16 - 18, 2008.

Who can attend?

        160 Idaho 4-H members in the 8^th and 9^th grades.

        Each county may send a minimum of 2 delegates.

        Delegates may attend 2 years and participate in both the legislative and judicial workshops.

        10 delegates are selected at the end of the conference to return a third year and participate in the reporter workshop.  One will serve as news editor and one will coordinate the TVTV broacdcast. 

        12 delegates are selected at the end of the conference to serve on the planning committee for the next year’s conference. They serve as committee chairmen, speaker of the house, and judges.

What does it cost?

Registration fee is $90.

Transportation to, from and during the conference is extra and is arranged by each district. Cost varies and is determined by the district.

Cost of the conference is reduced by approximately $43 per delegate through the support of our sponsors.  Donor List.

How do you apply?

        Application forms are available from your County Extension Office.

        Due date is determined by each county. Due dates vary from mid-December to early January. Counties may conduct interviews as part of the selection process.

        Names of delegates and alternates selected by the counties are due January 19.

To request an application call your County Extension Office, or send an e-mail to: mjcraig@uidaho.edu.

Are there any videos I can look at?

Each year the reporter delegates produce a news video. Some counties have copies. Check-out copies can be ordered through your County Extension Office from Mary Jean Craig. They are:

20 Years of KYG and KYG 2007 Mock Legislative Floor Session

Get Your Kicks, KYG 2006

KYG 2005

KYG 2004

KYG 2003

4-H Know Your Government Conference (a general overview of the Conference)