4-H Capitol Experience 2026

March 15-17, 2026

The program will be held in the Lansing area

4-H Capitol Experience is an annual 3-day conference that focuses on civic engagement and public policy. Teens from around the state converge in Lansing, Michigan to experience state government in action and learn how they can influence policy issues. Participants interact with legislators, state agency staff, lobbyists and other resource people to learn how policy is made. They will also learn about public access to information, campaign financing, ethics/conflicts of interest, government accountability to the public and lobbying disclosure.

Attendees will:

• Understand the responsibilities of a citizen
• Explore different aspects of a policy issue that may affect individuals and communities
• Explore various careers in public policy
• Attend a bill writing session
• Have an in-depth meeting with someone in (or involved with) state government simulations and activities are incorporated to reinforce and apply what is learned about government.

Teens leave the conference with the charge to share what they have learned and get involved with other leadership and civic engagement activities in their communities!

More information and details will be sent to each participant before the event begins. There will also be a zoom orientation that will be provided to families before Capitol Experience begins. 

Hotel Information: Okemos Conference Center
2187 University Park Dr., Okemos, MI 48864
517-381-7300

Cost: $365

All payments must be made in full by March 1, 2026. If full payment is not received by this time, your registration will be cancelled. 

Registration fees are non-refundable if cancellations are received after March 1, 2026. If individuals cancel after the registration deadline of March 1, 2025, payment will NOT be refunded. There is a possibility to transfer their registration to another youth of a similar age and gender.

Tentative Schedule:

Sunday, March 15, 2026

• 7 a.m. Steering Committee breakfast

• 8-11 a.m. Steering Committee training

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Prep and lunch (Qdoba) for steering committee

• 1-2 p.m. Registration

• 2-3 p.m. Welcome  (Ballroom)

  • What is MSU Extension, 4-H, and Capitol Experience

  • “Rules” skits

    • How to have a respectful conversation

    • Be attentive and respectful to speakers

    • Listening to understand vs listening to respond

    • Actively participate

    • Only be in your rooms

    • Go with a buddy

    • Self-care

• 3-3:30 p.m. Legislative Simulation & Government Overview (Ballroom)

  • “I’m just a bill”

  • Tribal government (follow up with MSU center)

    • Kahoot was fun

• 3:30-4 p.m. Issues On The Line 

• 4-6 p.m. Issue Group Icebreakers and bill idea brainstorming and selection (Issue Group Rooms)

• 6-7 p.m. Pizza Dinner

• 7-9 p.m. Refining your issue; Writing your bill (Issue Group Rooms)

• 9-10:15 p.m. Free Time - Pool Party (Ballroom or Pool)

• 10-10:30 p.m. Steering Committee meeting 

• 10:30 p.m. - Bed Check

Monday March 16, 2026

• 7-7:45 a.m. Breakfast

• 7:45-8 a.m. gather in groups

• 8-8:30 a.m. Drive to Capitol

• 8:30-9 a.m. Walk to Supreme Court

• 9-10:15 a.m. Capitol/Supreme Court tour

  • Include Capitol GooseChase

• 10:15-10:30  a.m. walk back to Capitol

• 10:30-10:45 a.m. Photo

• 10:45-11 a.m. travel to Legislative Aide visits

• 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Legislative Aide visits

• 12-1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own (meet at Senate Lobby before heading out)

• 1:30-1:45 p.m. Meet at House Office Building to meet up with Issue Group

• 1:45-2 p.m. travel to Lobbyist visits

• 2-3 p.m. Lobbyist visits

• 3-3:30 travel to State Agency

• 3:30-4:45 p.m. State Agency visits

• 4:45-5:15 p.m. travel to Brody

• 5:15-6:45 p.m. Dinner at Brody and Lobbying

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

• 6:45-7 p.m. drive back to hotel

• 7-8:30 p.m. Bill Refinement (Issue Group Rooms)

• 8:30-10:15 p.m. Free Time-Dance/Karaoke & Game night (Ballroom)

• 10-10:30 p.m. Steering Committee meeting 

• 10:30 p.m. Bed Check

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

• 6:30 a.m. leave hotel

• 7 a.m. arrive at breakfast

• 7:30-9 a.m. Legislative Breakfast 

• 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. “Choose your own adventure” - Legislative visits, committee meetings, watch session

  • Lunch on your own during that time

• 1:30-2 p.m. Travel to Hotel

• 2-4 p.m. Bill discussion and voting in both chambers (Ballroom - split into two)

  • Return vans

• 4-5 p.m. Governor - Bill signing or veto - Josiah Bear (Ballroom - one room)

• 5-6 p.m. Evaluation and certificates