Something Different: Junior Statesmen California Institute on Leadership and Politics

Did I mention, that's my old dorm!?!

Katie and Emelia started a new adventure today.

This is the first time, ever, that Katie has gone on one of these adventures with a friend. Emelia is actually a neighborhood friend who lives close and is nearly the same age as Katie (her birthday is the day after Katie's) so they mesh together really nicely.

The Institute is at UC Davis, my old alma mater, and they are staying in the Bixby dorms - my old dorm! It was awesome going back to the building and watching them get all excited about setting up their temporary home. 

The dorms, built in 1962 (ironically the year I was born) look the same with a few tiny upgrades (or distractions depending on how you look at it - they really messed up how the beds fit in the rooms with the addition of new heaters in front of the windows). 

Unbeknownst to me, Katie packed dorm decorations and a fan ("In case it gets hot mom") and so she had plenty to do upon arrival. I got them there nice and early so they had plenty of time to nest.

I don't know, do they look happy?

I hope they have a terrific time. It's going to go pretty quickly; I pick them up on Wednesday afternoon. If they have a good JSA experience, they can join local clubs at their high schools and attend more events in the future. Not familiar with JSA? From their website:

     The mission of the Junior State of America and the Junior Statesmen Foundation (JSA) is to strengthen American democracy by educating and preparing high school students for life-long involvement and responsible leadership in a democratic society. 

  In the student-run Junior State and at JSA summer schools and summer institutes, participants learn statesmanship as they engage in political discourse. They cultivate democratic leadership skills, challenge one another to think critically, advocate their own opinions, develop respect for opposing views and learn to rise above self-interest to promote the public good.

Here's the day's agenda: 

Time	Activity
9:00 am – 11:30 am	Registration – Segundo Service Center
11:30 am – 12:30 pm	Opening Session - Wellman 106
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm	Lunch – Segundo Dining Commons
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm	Project Citizen Workshop – Bixby Hall Lounge
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm	Group Project Planning – Bixby Hall Lounge
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm	Dinner – Segundo Dining Commons
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm	Documentary/Discussion – Wellman 106
9:00pm - 10:00 pm	Free time / Work on Group Project
10:00 pm	Floor Meeting
11:00 pm	Curfew

Katie already decorating in her mind.

Emelia looking for the bathroom.