The 2013 TeenTrack will feature Generation Joshua's iAdvocate program. This program features interactive activities that simulate what a legislator encounters when he or she tries to draft and advocate legislation. Participants will have to choose between competing priorities such as personal legislative goals, the goals of his or her party, and the professional agreements he or she has made with other participants.  Participants will start with drafting legislation in a small committee and will progress to an official legislative session where they will have the chance to debate and vote on their legislation.

To round out the program, Generation Joshua staff will provide lectures focusing on Christian worldview and civic involvement and how it relates to law and public policy.

iAdvocate provides a safe atmosphere for students to learn how they respond to political pressures and gain a better understanding of how leaders make tough decisions. Ultimately, the goal of the track is to train students to be an unfailing testimony as an advocate for Christian principles as they serve their country.

• Time: Friday and Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Speakers: Will Estrada, Jeremiah Lorrig, and the iAdvocate Team
• Ages: Teens ages 13 - 19 years old
• Cost: Teen GenJ attendees will need to pay an additional registration of $5 for national GenJ membership (usually $35), in addition to the regular $30 MÂCHÉ child registration fee. (Total registration fee: $35)
• Location: Offsite in University Hall, the banquet room on the skyway level of DoubleTree Hotel, one of our host hotels. It's just a short walk across the skyway from the Mayo Civic Center. There will be adult supervision in the sessions.
• Limits: We will need to limit the number of students attending because of the size of the banquet room.
• Schedule: See below.

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Friday: Foundation of Advocacy 

• 9:00 am - 10:00 am......Welcome, devotional, and introduction to advocacy
• 10:00 am - 11:00 am.....Strategy meetings: Coached by staff, students will draft legislation on an assigned topic,    secure co-sponsors, and build coalitions.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 noon..Party Caucuses: Students will feel out and elect party leaders and begin networking.
• 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm....LUNCH with parents
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm.........Party Caucuses: Students will lobby for party endorsements of their legislation and continue strategic coalition building.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm.........Lecture and Practice: “Christ-like, Strategic Advocacy: Both in Office and Out.” (Presented by Will Estrada, & Jeremiah Lorrig)
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm.........Strategy meetings: Original authors and co-sponsors of legislation will meet to strategize for effective advocacy and revision (amendment) of their legislation.

Saturday: Advocacy in Practice

• 9:00 am - 9:30 am..........Devotional and Introduction to the day
• 9:30 am - 10:30 am........Press conferences and networking: This is an opportunity for students to advocate their legislation and ideals to their peers and to build networks and support for the legislative sessions to follow.
• 10:30 am - 11:00 am.......Introduction to congress and parliamentary procedure
• 11:00 am - 12:00 noon...1st Legislative session: With both houses in session, students will advocate their positions on the floor of their respective houses, while learning to respect others opinions and using proper legislative procedures.
• 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm.....LUNCH with parents
• 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm..........Special Presentation: DRAMATIZATION: "Charles Carroll: The Last One Standing". Followed by iAdvocate 2nd Legislative session
• 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm..........Wrap up lecture and debriefing