Youth Day at the Capitol (YDAC) is an annual event where hundreds of students from across the state come together to learn how to effectively advocate for an issue of their choosing and practice those advocacy skills during a meeting with their local elected official(s).

In 2023, more than 300 secondary students came together to learn about advocacy, hear from Minnesota’s Constitutional Officers and meet with their local legislators. The picture below is of 2023 participants in front of the State Capitol. For more information on 2024 Youth Day at the Capitol, please scroll down the page.

Youth Day at the Capitol


Different than many other “days on the hill,” YDAC is unique in that youth participants aren’t given a list of predetermined legislative priorities. Rather, they start the day by working in their delegation to identify issues that impact their local community. Youth advocates from Minneapolis will likely end up focusing on different issues than youth advocates from Big Lake or Duluth, for example. All participants attend a one-hour, youth-led “Advocacy Best Practices” workshop and then have the opportunity to practice those skills in small pre-arranged meetings with their local elected official(s).

“I didn’t realize that legislators are willing to meet with people, even young people,” said 2023 YDAC participant Thay See from Como High School. “Now I know that anytime my family or I am concerned about something in our community, we know how to reach out and meet with them about it.”

The Center for Youth Voice leads YDAC in partnership with the Minnesota Alliance with Youth, Minnesota Community Education Association, Minnesota Prevention Alliance, YWCA Minneapolis, the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office and the Minnesota History Center. 

Getting Started

Teachers, school administrators, or youth leaders who are interested in bringing a group of young people and who need more information can reach out to Amy Anderson at Amy.Anderson@ymcanorth.org or 612-263-9893.

2024 YDAC Schedule
Planning Resources for 2024

Free Capitol Tours

Lunch Options

Accessibility Information


Please email Amy.Anderson@ymcanorth.org with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

This page is maintained by the YMCA Center for Youth Voice. Links to other internet sites are provided for informational purposes only. The YMCA Center for Youth Voice is in no way responsible for the content of these sites and their presence on this page should not be construed as an endorsement.