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Get ready to connect with 4-Hers from across the state at the 2025 Montana 4-H Citizenship Seminar! This unique experience offers an inside look at democratic government and the chance to engage with program highlights that make it unforgettable. While everyone may feel a mix of excitement and curiosity, you'll find yourself growing alongside peers and adults alike. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet elected officials and leave a memorable impression as a proud representative of 4-H! 

Montana Citizenship Seminar is designed to inspire 4-H youth as they learn about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Youth delegates gain hands-on experience with the legislative process by participating in a mock legislature, create and debate bills, work with other youth from across the state, meet with elected officials, tour the capitol, and participate in a service-learning project.

Event Details

When: The seminar will begin on Sunday, January 19 at 3:00 p.m and ends onTuesday, January 21 sometime in the early afternoon. 

Where: Helena, Montana – Seminar activities will take place at the Delta Colonial Hotel, the Bill Hamilton 4-H Building at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds and the Montana capitol complex. 

Eligibility: 4-H members must be 13 years of age by October 1, 2024. Citizenship Seminar youth and adult participants will also attend the Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, January 21st and the practice dinner on Monday January 20th.  

Chaperones: Each delegate must have a designated (adult) chaperone. Chaperones must be a certified 4-H volunteer or MSU Extension faculty. Counties may combine with other counties to reach a desired 1:10 ratio of adults to youth. Chaperones will be asked to participate in the seminar by acting as lobbyists during the legislative process.  

Accommodations: Each individual/county must make their own guest room reservations.  A block of rooms is reserved at the Delta Colonial Hotel (2301 Colonial Drive, Helena) under Montana 4-H Legislative Breakfast by calling (406) 443-2100. The block will be open from November 25, 2024 - January 1, 2025. The rate is $132 per room plus tax. 

The program fee includes all meals for both Montana Citizenship Seminar and the Legislative Breakfast. 

Fee: There is a $95 registration fee per youth and adult to offset the seminar program costs. The program fee includes all meals for both Montana Citizenship Seminar and the Legislative Breakfast. 

Registration:
Youth and adults log into your ZSuite Profile and register under Events starting November 29, 2024 – January 8, 2025.Please check with your county office to confirm the amount before paying. Registration for Citizenship Seminar includes registration to Legislative Breakfast. Participants attending Citizenship Seminar do not need to register separately for Legislative Breakfast.

Transportation: Transportation to and from the seminar and shuttling youth between activities is the county/ chaperone's responsibility. 

Legislative Bill: Each delegate is expected to sponsor one “bill” suitable for the 4-H Legislature. Delegates will receive a link via email to upload their bill after registration is completed in ZSuites. Here are the links to the Bill Template and How to write a bill document.  

The deadline to upload bills to the link is January 8th. Bills will be reviewed and grouped by topic area into committees prior to the event. Please see the template included with this email and in the ZSuite registration for information on how to write a bill. 

Service Project: Each delegate and county will have the opportunity to contribute to a service project that is yet to be determined. 

History Bowl: Each delegate will have the opportunity to compete in the Montana History Bowl. The first round of the History Bowl will be a written form given on Sunday, January 19 during the seminar's check-in to determine the participants who will compete in the second and final rounds throughout the event. 

Participant Checklist: Please complete the following by the January 8, 2025 deadline 

  • Reserve your hotel room by January 1, 2025 or earlier. After January 1 the room block will no longer be available.  
  • Registration through ZSuite by January 8, 2025 or earlier  
  • Check with your county office to confirm amount before paying 
  • Upload mock legislative bill to by January 8, 2025 or earlier 

 

 

 

Summer 2025 National Citizenship Washington Focus

Join us for a one-week summer program in Washington D.C. where teens experience the capital as their classroom and connect with young leaders from across the country to gain skills necessary to be effective change agents.

Save the Dates

Stay tuned for 2025 information!