137 4-H and FFA members gathered at the Oklahoma State Capitol Sept. 2-3 for Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 2026 Capitol Camp.
Capitol Camp is an immersive two-day experience for high school juniors and seniors to learn about Oklahoma’s legislative process, including the path bills take to become law and how to use parliamentary procedure to guide debate and decision-making.
During the two-day event, students participated in a mock legislature held on the floors of both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate.
The event kicked off with attendees electing their peers for the roles of speaker of the House, House floor leader, Senate president pro tempore and Senate floor leader.
Prior to Capitol Camp, students wrote legislation on issues that are important to them. In total, 85 bills were presented, with topics ranging from food labeling and water pollution to H-2A work programs and agricultural literacy in schools. Bills were first heard and discussed in committees before moving to the House and Senate floors for debate and a final vote.
During day two, bills that had already passed the House and Senate switched chambers to be heard and voted on by the opposite mock legislative body. Once a bill passed through both chambers, it moved to the governor, who either signed the bill into law or vetoed and sent it back for a veto override.
Students had a special visit from Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, who shared insights on Oklahoma agriculture and her role at the state Capitol.
In addition to the mock legislative activities, Capitol Camp attendees participated in a community service project at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and wrapped up the night with fellowship at the Dust Bowl bowling alley.
“This is truly an opportunity of a lifetime,” said McKinna Turner of Owasso FFA. “I would encourage anybody to go ahead and sign up, because regardless if you enjoy learning about legislation and policy, you’re going to meet new people and have a great time while doing it.”
