Youth Day At the Capitol (YDAC) 2025

Youth Day At the Capitol (YDAC) 2025

YDAC attendees learn to effectively advocate for themselves and an issue of their choice, and practice those skills with their legislators.

By Youth Day at the Capitol Organizing Committee

Date and time

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 · 8:45am - 3pm CST

Location

MN History Center/Minnesota State Capitol

75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Saint Paul, MN 55155

About this event

Youth Day at the Capitol (YDAC) attendees will 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).

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

8:30-8:45: School and community delegations arrive and check in.

9 - 10, 10:15-11:15: Delegations participate in advocacy trainings led by the Minnesota Youth Council, and spend time in the Minnesota History Center exhibits.

11:30: Join 600 students in a march to the Capitol for a group photo and afternoon activities.

12-3: Lunch on your own, meetings with state legislators (we set up for you), Rotunda activities, and talks by Minnesota Constitutional Officers!


Frequently asked questions

What are the Must-Do-Early planning items I should get to right away (or confirm with leadership)?

1) Leadership Permission 2) Timing- Can you get to the History Center by 8:45? Stay long enough for legislator meetings? Back by when? 3) Transportation! Bus costs/availability are the #1 reason for SYC (Sudden YDAC Cancellation). 4) Permission Slips 5) Chaperones! 6) Class Prep Discussions

What do we do about lunch?

Most groups bring school or student bagged lunches . Most keep them on the bus until after the group photo. We have links to some Capitol Complex options, and info on reserving a room to eat/order into. While there are some walking distance restaurants, the area can have safety challenges.

Other than cost, what should I keep in mind about bus transportation?

Bus hires are either four point (pick up/drop off, leave, come back to pick up /drop you home) or two point (driver/bus stay all day waiting). Prices will vary. Discuss options with your bus company. Four chaperones can drive 40 students in rented vans (if permissible) as an option.

What should we be doing with students BEFORE attending YDAC?

Preparation is key to YDAC success. Go over the basics of how a bill becomes a law. Explore what kinds of issues and topics are affected by the legislature. Have discussions about a number of issues, and help them discover what their positions are as individuals- the seeds of their own advocacy!

Tags

Organized by

Youth Day at the Capitol Organizing Committee

The Youth Day at the Capitol Planning Team is made up of the Citizens League, the Health Partners Teen Leadership Council, Minnesota Alliance With Youth, the Minnesota Community Education Association, the Minnesota History Center, the Minnesota Prevention Alliance, the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office, the Minnesota Youth Council, the YMCA's Center for Youth Voice, and the YWCA of Minneapolis.

Please email Michael.Wall@state.mn.us with any questions.

On Sale Sep 18 at 6:00 AM