Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, speaks to more than 60 high school students in the Kansas Senate chamber about the legislative process and the importance of civic engagement. The students came from across the state to take part in the Youth Civic Leadership Institute, a program of the Dole Institute of Politics where Ballard is associate director.

Topeka ? More than 60 high school students from across the state spent part of the day Thursday meeting with Kansas legislative leaders and touring the Statehouse in Topeka as part of a summer program sponsored by the Dole Institute of Politics on the Kansas University campus.

Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, who is associate director of the Dole Institute, said the Youth Civic Leadership Institute is about developing the next generation of state and community leaders.

“Part of this is a promotion of civic engagement, promoting of student involvement and public service,” Ballard said. “It’s just like how they have band camp, cheerleading camp, all kinds of camps on campus. This is one about civic engagement and public service.”

Ballard said the program is now in its 10th year. Each year, the Dole Institute selects about 60 to 65 students who will be seniors in the upcoming school year to take part.

The students meet with community and political leaders at different levels of government to learn about the issues that inspired them to get involved in politics, and to talk about the issues that the students themselves are interested in.

“The whole idea is to focus on these areas that they can use, after they graduate, in their communities, why it’s important, especially around history and government,” Ballard said.

During their tour of the Statehouse, the students heard presentations from leaders and rank-and-file members of the House and Senate. And some were even allowed to sit at legislators’ desks on the House and Senate floor, something rarely allowed for visitors.

Afterwards, about 15 individual legislators met with the students in small groups for one-on-one conversations.

This year’s Youth Civic Leadership Institute began Wednesday and will run through Friday.