It seems like any other ordinary day in the Augusta capitol. Clad in suit and tie, a speaker gives an enthusiastic promotion of a new piece of legislation, concluding, “I am now open for questions.” Hands fly up, a vigorous debate ensues, and finally, a motion is made to vote on the bill.
Just the usual Maine Legislature, right?
Until one discovers the speaker is thirteen, his colleagues are teenagers as well, and the legislation, if passed, will never go into effect unless reintroduced and approved in the real legislature of Maine. All are part of the innovative and hands-on program for Christian young people known as TeenPact.
Found nationwide, TeenPact skillfully combines three elements to create a solid curriculum; instructive information, a Christ-centered worldview, and an intriguing teaching style. Students listen to legislative speakers, access campaign disclosures, and interview lobbyists. “The leaders I met at TeenPact in Augusta reminded me that every citizen should be active because active citizens have a powerful impact,” says Nathanael Yellis, former TeenPact student and chair of the Maine Legislature’s advisory youth council, and now a distance-learning student at Patrick Henry College and intern with TeenPact.
Retention of material is ensured through pre-class homework, quizzes, and daily use of the facts learned previously, yielding 1/3 of a high school government credit upon completion of the class. Moreover, every day is opened with devotions, beautiful worship, and prayer walks around the capitol to intercede for the leaders working there. In addition, the bill skit humorously depicts how a bill becomes a law, the much anticipated-mock legislature incorporates all students in an exciting exchange of debate and ideas, and many close friendships are made and developed at classes.
“Oh, my child hates government,” many parents say.
This is common among prospective students, many of whom think politics is only bureaucratic and boring, and beg to get out of attending, ‘that government class.’ “I started out being forced to go to TeenPact, but by the end, I was already begging my parents to let me go next year,” 2004 TeenPact governor Alessandra Kroger enthuses. In another example, one Maine student required to write an essay on why he wanted to go to TeenPact, listed why he didn’t want to go, but by the third day wanted to know why the class was so short. A staffer for the first Maine class was figuratively “dragged kicking and screaming,” to her first TeenPact class and eventually ended up interning for the organization.
And the results show. “TeenPact prepares our youth, the next generation of leaders, to understand and appreciate the rights and obligations for maintaining freedom in our great country,” says Representative Mitchell Kay of Georgia. “There are few ministries I would publicly recommend...but from a father, I love TeenPact, and from a legislator, I love it also,” agrees Senator Daniel Webster of Florida. Representatives, senators, lobbyists, candidates, and two governors have visited TeenPact Maine and were greatly surprised by the high maturity level and good questions of the students.
Pre-teens can get involved too, with TeenPact’s special one-day program designed for 8-12 year olds. Held the Friday following the four-day class, the day blends together the elements of the older program into a curriculum that appeals to the younger group. On the same Friday, teens have the opportunity to hone public speaking abilities in an interactive and informative public-speaking class that sharpens communications capabilities.
This year will be TeenPact’s fourth year in Maine, with an enhanced program, new alumni track, and same successful methodology. Dates for the 2005 four-day class for teens are May 2-5, the one day 8-12 class on May 6. Held in Augusta, courtesy host housing is available for students who have a long distance to travel. The price for the four-day program for new students is $199, $25 for the public speaking class, and $29 for the one-day program. Some financial assistance and scholarships are available as well to take off the cost of the class. With limited capacity, program is expected to fill up quickly, and applicants download an application from www.teenpact.com, or obtain one by calling 1-888-343-1776.
“TeenPact showed me how to apply what I believe to a very practical area . . . [and] how I should be connected to our state government as a citizen,” says Nathanael. Through the Lord’s blessing of TeenPact, young people are trained and equipped to act on their beliefs in the civic sphere for the glory of God and furtherance of His kingdom.
