The Senate and Assembly, the two largest, work just like California's real government does. Students debate bills they've written and vote whether or not to pass them in the actual senate chambers in Sacramento, the program's largest conference. There are other programs, such as the Education Boards or the court division, which are also modeled after the real government programs. Participants decide their own roles and are trained in two separate weekend conferences in Paso Robles. The ultimate test is the final conference in Sacramento, where they assume the position in the actual Capital Building.
Passion is what the program's really all about.
Never have I seen people so engaged as those who get up and speak their minds on any given issue. I found myself screaming until I was red in the face on why prison inmates deserve the right to vote, something I had not even considered before that afternoon. That's another thing. When 2,000 diverse high schoolers from all over California get together to discuss ideas, you begin to realize it's a pretty wonderful world. Hours can be spent debating issues you don't necessarily agree on, but you learn to understand your opponent's point of view.