We had so much fun this month preparing our climate alliance for youth delegation at the Youth Advocacy Training! This training focused primarily on preparing the youth for Environmental Lobby Day on Feb 6. Youth stepped into the shoes of lawmakers, public advocates, and policy experts, connecting their personal values to the climate issues they cared about through games and roleplay. The workshop didn’t just teach how a bill becomes a law—it showed how young voices can drive meaningful change by inspiring creativity, collaboration, and community action.
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Youth Leads started by guiding participants through a Personal Values and Advocacy Discussion, giving youth a chance to reflect on their core values and connect them to pressing environmental issues, laying a strong foundation for meaningful action. Participants explored ideas like fairness, inclusion, and justice, sharing how these principles guide their choices and inspire their advocacy. By linking their values to real-world climate challenges—like clean energy or reducing waste—they brainstormed creative solutions and learned how to build bridges through shared perspectives.
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Youth then created their own bills in the Build-a-Bill Workshop, showing them how ideas can become reality in legislation. Youth collaborated to tackle real-world problems through creativity and learning the legislative process. Each group elected senators to present their bills and assigned advocates to support them through actions like writing op-eds, gathering signatures, or sharing on social media.
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After a quick lunch break, we took a short nature walk for sunshine and outdoor activities. In between legislation activities, it’s important to let youth spend time outside to remember what they are fighting for, and the planet that they advocate for and represent.
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After our break came the last stage of our legislation roleplay. In the Push-the-Bill Mock Legislative Session, participants experienced the last leg of the legislation process. Youth role-played as senators, public advocates, and even a governor- presenting their bills, engaging in lively debates, proposing amendments, and voting in simulated committee hearings. Public advocates passionately supported their bills with quick testimonies and creative advocacy actions, such as mock op-eds and social media campaigns.
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The session ended with a celebratory “Governor’s Desk” moment, where passed bills were signed or vetoed, sparking a ruckus of cheers (and a few veto-worthy boos). As we celebrated the “laws” passed, youth left the session not just with new skills, but with the confidence that their voices and values matter in shaping the future. Youth participants are now ready to take on lobbying at the Washington State Capitol!
Thank you so much for everyone who participated! This event was in preparation for our Youth Delegation at Environmental Lobby Day, on Thursday, February 6. Find more details here! If you want to a chance to represent the environment in front of actual legislators and state officials, make sure to RSVP!
