More than 50 4-H and FFA students gathered at the Oklahoma state Capitol for Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s third-annual Capitol Camp.
Capitol Camp is an immersive two-day experience for high school juniors and seniors to learn about Oklahoma’s legislative process and how bills become law through a mock legislature held on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
“I was able to present a few different bills, which gave me the opportunity to present legislation and learn about the legislative process,” said Ashlee Purvine of Thomas-Fay-Custer FFA. “I had the opportunity to do research and look through a more analytical perspective that takes all views into account.”
Throughout the event, students in attendance had the opportunity to present a piece of legislation they wrote about an issue important to them and help guide it through the process. Bills were first heard in committees, and those that advanced were heard and voted upon on the House floor.
Capitol Camp delegates elected both a speaker of the House and a floor leader to the business sessions in the House chamber on both days.
“The number one thing I have learned is that I want to be a lobbyist, I want to work in public policy,” said Ryne Crosthwait of Stillwater FFA “This gave me a really cool opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and work on legislation and mock bills.”
Students heard from several guests during the two-day event, including OKFB President Rodd Moesel and House of Representatives members Nick Archer, Steve Bashore, Brian Hill, Dell Kerbs and Anthony Moore.
In addition to the mock legislative activities, attendees completed a community service project at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, where they packed meals for children and families in Oklahoma.