Know Your Government Conference

Know Your Government Conference

The Know Your Government (KYG) Conference aims to empower youth to be well-informed citizens who are actively engaged in their communities and the world. KYG is held each Presidents Day weekend in Boise while the legislature is in session. The 2026 conference will be held Feb. 14-16. Registration for the 2026 conference opens on Dec. 8, 2025.

The conference is designed for youth in grades 8-10 to:

• Learn how state government decision-making works.
• Influence state government.
• Learn how the state judicial system works.
• Find out how cases are brought to court.
• Observe the legislative process in action.
• Share ideas with legislators, judges and other elected officials.
• Have breakfast with legislators and judges.
• Meet teens from across the state.

Youth may attend the KYG conference as a delegate two (2) years. Additional years are only available to youth selected to serve on the steering committee.

The 2026 KYG conference will be held at University of Idaho College of Law, the Basque Center, the Boise Centre, the Ada County Courthouse and the Idaho State Capitol building.  

Bus transportation to Boise is provided for participants. Delegates and chaperones are required to provide their own transportation to and from the district bus stop locations.  

The 2026 registration fee is $230 for delegates. Steering committee members and chaperones are eligible for up to $75 in financial assistance. Attendees register through ZSuite. To register, youth must be enrolled in both 4-H and the Know Your Government project for the current year.  

Details about the conference will be made available after registration closes on Jan. 8, 2026. If you have questions regarding the KYG conference, please contact Mike Knutz at mknutz@uidaho.edu or view the KYG handbook (pdf). View the KYG Conference newsletter (pdf).