I am thinking about a major in US history or American studies and I want to learn something at this conference....

Are people serious about learning during the mock congress ect? I like to have fun but I don't want to waste money on a week of goofing off.

Please Respond if you have attended or feel the same way! Thanks!

Hi. I am going this July, but I am definitely interested in learning more about the government etc..., and having fun of course

you learn stuff at NYLC, but people there want to have fun! there were some serious people, but they just ruined the mood. Just have fun and you will learn. Dont get all mad is stuff isnt democratic (dance off, rap off). You will gain more friends by being open and going with the flow. Your NYLC friends will make you discover a piece of you, you never knew you had.
I promise.

try to keep the mood light and airy. Keep in mind these are just simulations designed to give you a little bit of insight. You get out of it what you put into it. If you try hard, you'll learn a lot. If not, well, you won't learn so much. Plenty of kids do use this as a 10 day vacation away from their parents and will try to get away with whatever they can. Avoid those people, associate with people who are there for the same reasons you are and you'll have a great time

Personally, I loved NYLC and I came home feeling like I had gained so much from it. Not only did I meet some amazing people and have some interesting stories to bring back with me, but I really did feel like I learned at NYLC. It is just a really different learning experience than you will get in most schools. Was a lot of the information stuff that I already knew from textbooks, yes, but actually putting that knowledge into practice through the simulations was something completely new to me. It was one of those know-about-it-versus-actually-know-how-to-do-it sort of things. Of course, I had a ton of fun as well while touring the city, which I had never been to before, and at the dinner dance. This is just my experience, and I know that it varies from person to person, but I certainly didn't think of it as a waste of time or money. I definitely agree with Brian...you get out what you put in.

cool thanks!