4-H Capitol Experience

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4-H Capitol Experience

March 15-17, 2026
Lansing, Mich.

Registration for the March 18 Legislative Reception will open later this winter.

Youth in 9th grade through age 19 are invited to attend the 4-H Capitol Experience. You do not need to be a member of 4-H in order to attend the event, but all participants will be asked to enroll in 4-H Online upon completing their event registration.

Youth registrants will select an issue group according to their interests, which will be led by a teen facilitator. Issue groups will provide a space for youth to meet peers from across the state while talking about their ideas and what they learned. Youth will:

Meet elected officials
Hear from experts in policy representing a broad range of careers
Hear from young people who have made a difference in their communities
Discuss hot topics important to youth.

The 2026 registration fees will be $365.00, and include hotel accommodations at the Okemos Conference Center. Please contact your local 4-H Program Coordinator or local 4-H office to inquire about local funding opportunities. Scholarships may also be available through your local Farm Bureau office.

School Letter

Pick Up/Drop Off Letter

Issue Groups:

Each issue group will be facilitated by a teen steering committee member supported by an MSU Extension staff person. Issue groups will serve as networking and learning groups throughout the event. Participants can choose from:

Environment/Natural Resources
Health
Jobs & The Economy/Infrastructure
Agriculture
Civil Rights/Youth Advocacy
Education/Teacher Retention
Crime/Law Enforcement

Tentative Schedule

Sunday, March 15, 2026

1-2 Registration
2-3 Welcome (Ballroom)

What is MSUE, 4-H, and Capitol Experience
“Rules” skits

3-3:30 Legislative Simulation & Government Overview (Ballroom)

“I’m just a bill”

3:30-4:00 Issues On The Line
4:00-6 Issue Group Icebreakers and bill idea brainstorming and selection (Issue Group Rooms)
6-7 Pizza Dinner
7-9 Refining your issue; Writing your bill (Issue Group Rooms)
9-10:15 Free Time - Pool Party (Ballroom or Pool)
10-10:30 Steering Committee meeting
10:30 - Bed Check

Monday March 16, 2026

7-7:45 Breakfast
7:45-8:00 gather in groups
8:00-8:30 Drive to Capitol
8:30-9:00 Walk to Supreme Court
9:00-10:15 Capitol/Supreme Court tour

Include Capitol GooseChase

10:15-10:30 - walk back to Capitol
10:30-10:45 Photo
10:45-11:00 travel to Legislative Aide visits
11:00-12:00 Legislative Aide visits
12:00-1:30 Lunch on your own (meet at Senate Lobby before heading out)
1:30 - 1:45 Meet at House Office Building to meet up with Issue Group
1:45-2 travel to Lobbyist visits
2-3 Lobbyist visits
3-3:30 travel State Agency
3:30-4:45 State Agency visits
4:45-5:15 travel to Brody
5:15-6:45 Dinner at Brody and Lobbying

Handshake and elevator speech needs to be added here due to timing with breakfast

6:45-7 drive back to hotel
7-8:30 Bill Refinement (Issue Group Rooms)
8:30-10:15 Free Time-Dance/Karaoke & Game night (Ballroom)
10-10:30 Steering Committee meeting
10:30 - Bed Check

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

6:30 - leave hotel
7:00 arrive at breakfast
7:30-9 Legislative Breakfast
9:00-1:30 “Choose your own adventure” - Legislative visits, committee meetings, watch session