The Dane County Youth Governance Program will accept applications for the 2026–27 cohort through June 26.
The YGP, established in 2012, offers high school students direct involvement in county government decision-making. Throughout the nine-month program, participants serve alongside elected County Board supervisors on standing committees, with the same opportunities for participation as supervisors, with the distinction that their vote is advisory and non-binding.
Each participant is paired with a County Board supervisor who serves as their mentor throughout the year. Participants also meet regularly as a cohort to develop a group project presented to the full board at the end of the program term.
Students currently in grades 9-11 (entering grades 10-12 in the fall) are eligible to apply. They must commit to attending at least 75% of in-person and virtual YGP meetings and six to eight hours of YGP work per month from September to May.
