Thursday, October 1, 2026
YMCA’s Youth and Government is a nationwide program aimed at instilling the next generation with the resources they need to be informed and engaged citizens. The organization has two primary functions: connecting kids with their local leaders and government systems and teaching them how to participate in these systems through mock proceedings.
YMCA Youth and Government has been functioning in Texas for more than 78 years. However, the push to expand into Hood County came in 2023, when Y&G was brought to Granbury Middle School and enrolled only three members in its first year. However, since then, the chapter has grown steadily, drawing in students with numerous programs.
“The goal of the program is not just to teach them how to pass a bill. It's about civic engagement. And about how do we communicate with each other? How do we communicate with our leaders, our businesspeople, and our future leaders? — to understand the path of our own community,” Andrea “AJ” Rea, Fort Worth Y&G Program director, said.
YMCA’s Y&G includes multiple facets for students to get involved in, including mock legislative sessions that follow how bills are passed — all the way from committee meetings to when the “governor” signs the bill into law — running for the governor’s cabinet, engaging in state affairs, meeting with Texas’ political figures, getting to visit and hold session in the state capital, and acting on local organization’s boards as a voice for the county’s youth.
After students at Granbury Middle School began to see all the programs offered, the chapter grew from three students in 2023-24 to 12 students in 2024-25. And for Rea, this proves Hood County is receptive to the program, and major growth for Hood County Y&G is imminent.
“I also want to see the program grow based on how it grew at Granbury Middle School, where they went from three to 12 in one year. Acton Middle School is literally right across the street from our YMCA. Those kids could come there after school, and I or someone would meet with them to train them,” Rea said.
Her additional hope is when her star pupil, Rainn Sherwood, graduates to Granbury High School this fall, he will plant the seed for the program to develop there, bringing Hood County Y&G to the high school level.
“He's just such an impressive kid, and he's the only one going to Granbury High,” Rea said. “He's the only eighth-grader, and so he's our only student going to Granbury High School next year. He will knock your socks off. This kid can do anything. He's so intelligent. He's so experienced, the debate process and at our state conference, not only did he win the Outstanding Statesman Award from the whole state, he also got his bill passed, which is actually very hard to do.”
Rea believes in the program she directs and knows students who are a part of the program are more capable students, communicators, debaters, leaders and citizens than their peers outside of the program.
“Their communication skills are amazing,” Rea said. “From this program, they know exactly how to make a point and then convince you they're right. But with the skill set they're learning now, we've got sixth-graders who know more about how a bill becomes law than my 65-year-old dad. These kids are operating at just a whole other level.”
Despite all the benefits and resources at their fingertips, most students just don’t even know Youth and Government is an option, Rea said, but she is hoping to change this and bring more Y&G opportunities to Hood County.
“The goal is just to get the word out that this program exists and the opportunities that it can present,” Rea said.
So, what does it take to become a Y&G student? Each week, the members of a Y&G chapter meet with their advisor to discuss what they’ve been working on and receive tips on how to better their projects, whether it be a campaign, debate or bill. This is all in preparation for the two major Youth and Government conferences — district and state, where students showcase their knowledge of government and finally apply it.
Participation in Youth and Government incurs a cost. Between entry fees, transportation and hotel accommodations, Rea estimates the total cost of fully participating in Y&G is about $650 per student per year.
While this cost is a considerable for many, Rea hopes to remove this roadblock.
“The most important thing is I will never, ever allow finances to be a barrier to participation. If someone says, ‘I can't afford it,’ I'm going to say, ‘We'll figure it out,”’ Rea said.
To help combat this issue, Rea is attempting to partner with local law and government organizations to help secure funding for the program, to potentially help ease the financial burden on Y&G students and their families.
For more information regarding enrolling in the program or donating to its cause, contact Rea at ARea@ymcafw.org.
“Every time I see the kids, I see my faith renewed, and the brightness of the future that these kids can create for themselves and for their communities,” Rea said.
