TeenPact

Nature Girl and I had the most phenomenal experience yesterday learning about our state government. As a friend of mine said "We learned more in 6 hours then we did in three years of civic/government classes!!" And no truer words have been spoken.

Yesterday, Nature Girl and I attended the one day TeenPact event at our state's capitol. It was geared towards boys and girls ages 8-12. It's main purpose, I believe, was to give the kids some really good information of what goes on at the capitol, from a godly perspective. How we as Christians should not shy away from politics but become involved by writing letters or speaking publicly and even running for office.

Some of the activities were praise and worship, a bible drill looking up scripture that pertain to the organization of government and our responsibility to obey and pray, a great skit helping develop tools for public speaking, walking around the capitol building praying for the legislature and the governor, a scavenger hunt that covered the whole 22 story building. But, by far, the best part of the whole day was the opportunity the kids had to learn how a bill made its way through the legislature and then become law. And they got to actively participate.

As homework each child was to create a bill, whether serious or funny. Some of the bills were art therapy for children, driver's license by the age of 10, the right to life for a gummy bear, and free pencils to all children of school age and the indecent pants law. The topics ran the gamut and one was as just as thoroughly thought through as the next.

In our break out session, each kid was given the opportunity to stand up, in our small group, and say why he/she chose to write a bill on the subject they picked. Then the other kids were taught the policies and procedures as to how to ask questions and move for votes etc. I am sad to say, at first, it was way above my head.

But, then all the kids got back together again in the Senate chambers and about a half dozen or more kids got to actually to have their bills read, just like in the Senate. Then, they were allowed to stand in the well and tell everyone why they chose their topic. Other kids would then raise their hand, be recognized by the Speaker and then say the correct phrase "Would the lady/gentleman in the well yield to a question?" All their statements and questions had to be exactly how the actual Senate does it. (I am going to explore where the policies and procedures and the actual wording come from.)

The "Senator" on the floor would then have permission to ask the "Senator" in the well specific questions about his or her bill. The questions were really, really good, thoughtful questions. And the "Senator" purposing the bill took the questions seriously and had really, really good thoughtful answers.

Not every kid got their bill on the floor. There just wasn't enough time. But, as the hour was winding up, the last bill to be read was Nature Girl's. I knew she was going to flip. She and her friend had been nervous all day about having to speak in public.

When her bill was read by the secretary, NG stood up and the speaker called her to the well. Her bill was on the abolishing of homework for public and private school kids. Once her bill was read she started telling the Senate floor why she felt homework needed to be abolished. Her reasoning was, when she wants to play with her friends after their day at school, they sometimes can't because they have to do homework.

She thought of it all by herself. The actual idea and the purpose behind it. She felt that after 6-7 hours in school, that kids should be able to go out and play! Then it was question time and she very professionally answered all the questions the best she could. Never once was she flustered! Some of the questions were "What about kids who didn't finished assigned classroom work?" Her answer was that they would have finish it at home. "Did it apply to private/Christan schools?" Her answer was "yes." There was only one question she didn't have an answer for. She politely asked the girls to repeat it and then NG answer "I don't know."

I was so proud of her standing up there and answering questions. She said she was very nervous at first but then felt a little more comfortable. She didn't like not being able to answer the one question, but I told her that was OK and she answered truthfully.

It was amazing to watch these kids participate in the process of law making! I learned so much! And I know she did too. She can't wait to go back and neither can I . .