Lincoln — Next week, the Unicameral Youth Legislature will take over the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln from June 7-12.
During this legislative simulation, high school students from across the state will act as state senators, sponsoring bills, conducting committee hearings, and debating state legislation in the historic Warner Chamber.
The high schoolers gain hands-on civic experience by interacting directly with state senators, legislative staff, and lobbyists.
By stepping into the shoes of lawmakers, students learn the intricacies of Nebraska’s one-house system — the only nonpartisan unicameral in the United States.
Students will participate in three rounds of debate on legislation, using the same procedures, buttons, and floor rules as Nebraska senators.
Debate topics are modeled after bills from the recent legislative session and range from education policy to public health and law enforcement.
Many participants attend through the Greg Adams Civic Scholarship, which covers the full cost of admission.
The camp is coordinated in conjunction with the Big Red Summer Academic Camps and hosted by the Nebraska State 4-H Office.
