Meeker FFA members Kadence Staude and Baylee Weeks recently attended Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Capitol Camp at the Oklahoma State Capitol, where they gained hands-on experience with the legislative process and developed their leadership skills.
Capitol Camp brought together 137 high school juniors and seniors from across Oklahoma for two days of learning about government, leadership and the legislative process. Students had the opportunity to work in both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Senate chambers while being mentored by past and present legislators.
During the first day, students heard bills in committees and participated in discussions on the House and Senate floors. The experience continued with a service project at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma before students ended the evening with a bowling activity.
On the final day, students participated in floor work in both chambers. They presented their bills to their peers, answered questions, participated in debate and voted on each bill.
For Weeks, one of the most memorable parts of the experience was getting a firsthand look at how the legislative process works.
“My favorite part of Capitol Camp was just getting to see and understand everything about the legislative process,” Weeks said. “There’s not many opportunities like this for kids my age, so it was very neat being able to go through the legislative process and determine how it works as a student still in high school.”
Weeks also found a connection between her previous FFA experiences and the activities at Capitol Camp. “One thing that surprised me about the legislative process is how much parliamentary procedure they use because that was a contest I competed in several years ago and really enjoyed,” Weeks said. “It was inspiring to see two things I was passionate about work together.”
Through the two-day experience, Staude and Weeks learned how a bill becomes a law, practiced parliamentary procedure and gained experience presenting and defending their ideas with confidence. Weeks said the experience will continue to influence her as she grows as an FFA member and leader. “I believe Capitol Camp will help me as an FFA member and future leader by showing me how to advocate for what I believe in and providing me with tools and connections that will last me a lifetime,” Weeks said.
The Capitol Camp experience gave both Meeker FFA members an opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills, learn more about Oklahoma government and gain a better understanding of how young people can become involved in their communities.