TeenPact

There are so many things I want to both share and remember about this week. I'm pasting parts of an email I wrote about it, and I may repeat something from my last post, or my next post. The program far exceeded any expectations we had for it, and I encourage anyone who is remotely interested to check into it further.

Students are given homework in advance to bring to class, including copies of letters written to their state rep and state senator. (Keep in mind, this is a class on state government, so all info pertains to that level, not federal.) They prepare a mock bill to present at the class and are given a sample form to model. There are a few Bible verses to memorize regarding authority; vocabulary words to look up; basic state facts to memorize (governor, lieutenant governor, how many Republicans/Democrats at your state house, etc.). They read and answer questions about the governor's most recent State of the State address; and answer a few questions about three Constitutional amendments of their choosing. There is also a dress code to which the students must adhere--ties for young men (most were in suits); mid-calf or longer skirts or dresses for young ladies (no pants!). It was a bit of a pain to shop for that, but Holly later appreciated it, saying that it made them fit right in with the other women at the capitol (none of whom she saw in pants!), and that she enjoyed dressing up.

Two-thirds of the 75 kids signed up for the week stayed at the local Boy Scout camp. The other 1/3 commuted in each day. Holly commented that it was definitely to everyone's advantage to stay at the camp, that kids who just came to the day sessions were missing out on so much of the evening activities and bonding that helped make her experience what it was.

The classes were held in a conference room a few blocks from the capitol. When we arrived, there was a short get-to-know-you exercise that had the 75 kids talking to as many other classmates as possible. At first, it was very formal, lots of hand shaking and introductions, "Hello, my name is ___________. Would you sign one of my boxes?" As the kids warmed up, it became a bit more casual and loud.

They were asked to be seated and listened to a short introductory speech or two. Immediately after, each row had to approach the front of the room, and each student had to begin reading their mock bill. Just as in our capitol, as soon as the Chairman determined which committee the bill went to, he would bang the gavel, even in mid-sentence, assigning that bill to a certain committee. And then the next student would read their own bill. Some kids read just a few words; others read several lines. It was a great way to get through a potentially nerve-wracking experience, as it was short and quick, and everyone had to do it. (There were a dozen or so kids who were returning students; the majority of the class as a whole was quite outgoing.)

The students were then assigned to one of four or five committees. They broke off into their own committees and began discussing the bills that had been assigned to their particular committee. Most kids' bills went to a committee other than where they were assigned; it was totally random, as their committee assignment was predetermined, but their bill was sent to a committee depending on its topic. After discussing each bill (with the author sometimes defending it if he/she happened to be in the committee), it was voted on by the group, either passing or failing.

That was just the first afternoon. The kids went to the camp via carpool assignments arranged by the leader. They had a bit of down time, ate at the dining hall, had a 15 minute worship session. They had a brief Bible study led by Guest Director Bob Shanks, who is a lobbyist for HEAV (Virginia's homeschool association). (Each state class has a "Guest Director" who oversees the program for the week.) There were organized games designed to yet again really engage all of the kids. They retired to their cabins, and a staffer came around to each cabin to debrief what was learned during the day and to pray with each cabin in a small group. I think each cabin set their own rules for lights out; each cabin (of 4-5 girls) also had a parent chaperone.

Tuesday and Wednesday were filled with a variety of activities, including visits to the capitol and to the legislature building. There were several trips back and forth from the conference room, and I'd been forewarned to send along a lot of bandaids for blisters in those new heels! They prayer-walked at the capitol complex. They were broken up into groups of 3-4, approaching different people in the building with the intent to find lobbyists to whom they could present specific questions. There was a Constitution drill, where the students raced to find specific sections in the Constitution as quickly as possible. The kids were assigned to different political "parties," nominating and electing their own officers, spending one evening campaigning for their party, designing posters. The winners gave speeches at the end of the program.

The kids were constantly being put into different groups--committees, carpools, games, giving them the opportunity to meet and bond with as many of the other students as possible. It was further evidence of the organization and foresight that impressed me. All of the staffers were teens who'd been through the program. They fly around to lead different state classes, making it easy to maintain the high standards of each state class. (In contrast to AWANA, where one church can be well run and a church a few blocks away can be utter chaos.) It was an amazing group of young people who actively make every attempt to reach the students, draw them in, uplift and encourage, and in doing so, change lives.

Incredible week, wonderful time, terrific organization. God is at work in these kids, and it was amazing to watch it happen.