MamaArcher's Blog

TeenPact

My two oldest girls are walking around looking much older than I like this morning.  They are dressed nicely in business attire (skirts and blazers).  They look rather professional.  They are attending a special class in downtown Anchorage this week.  They have been working on homework for weeks now.  They have been busy reading, writing, and analyzing bills, writing to their state representatives, as well as several other things.  Here is their homework list to be completed before the start of classes. Attending this class is for their government credit.  If you have never heard of TeenPact it truly is something to check into.  It is a great opportunity for your children.

Let me share a bit about the class with excerpts directly from their website.

TeenPact trains young people to be leaders who will impact the nation and world for Jesus Christ. This is a comprehensive leadership experience that challenges students to grow both personally and spiritually. During the week, students will enjoy meeting and interacting with other Christian young people and leaders from across their state. Students will come away from TeenPact with a realization of their spiritual capacity as young people and a desire to change America for Christ.

Here is a bit more…

TeenPact is a comprehensive leadership experience that brings kids closer to Jesus Christ, makes them better leaders, and positions them to impact public policy in their state. During the week, students meet important officials, interact with other like-minded students, and have more fun at the capitol than they could have ever imagined. Students leave inspired and challenged with an intensive desire to change America for Christ.

TeenPact offers a program for both teens and children at your state capitol. Students enjoy times of praise, worship and devotions, meet important officials, interview lobbyists, view campaign disclosures, improve their public speaking skills, write their own bills, and conduct their own TeenPact legislature. Students analyze public policy from a Biblical Worldview and learn to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Other activities include:

* Reading actual bills that are being worked through the Legislature
* Researching how political candidates spend their campaign money
* Analyzing media content with an emphasis on worldview
* Participate in student elections
* Learning about the structure and content of our nation’s Constitution

I know that here in Alaska there are even a few additional scheduled events. One being an ultimate frisbee game. That may sound strange but if you have a teen and are in the Alaska homeschooling community you would understand that life does not happen without ultimate frisbee. )  TeenPact even has their own ultimate frisbee discs for purchase! I hope my daughters don’t see this.  I think I will be buying MORE frisbees!

They are also having a dinner and a square dance. They have parent meetings for those interested in attending.

TeenPact is designed for highschoolers but they also offer a one day class for children ages 8-12 years.

The TeenPact One Day Class is an abbreviated version of the Four Day, designed specifically for ages 8-12. This class focuses on

• The biblical responsibility to pray for our leaders
• The principle of “higher authority”
• The “bill-to-law” legislative process
• Public speaking for young students

I would encourage you to check out TeenPact for your children.  They offer classes in 38 states and are still expanding. Children may also attend year after year if they would like.  There is a lot going on.  Get in on the fun!  There is a lot of information on the website.  They have listings of classes as well as sample class schedules.  This is a great way to aid you in teaching and training your children about the role and functioning of government from a godly perspective.

Be sure to check into it and come back here and let me know your thoughts.

Do you have a child who has already attended?  What are your thoughts on the experience?