Boys State
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. A participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government, Boys State was founded in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate but similar program for young women called Girls State. American Legion Auxiliary Girls State
At Boys State, participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
Legion posts select high school juniors to attend the program. In most cases, individual expenses are paid by a sponsoring post, a local business or another community-based organization.
Boys State programs currently exist in all Legion departments in the United States except Hawaii. As separate corporations, Boys State programs vary in content and method of procedure, but each adheres to the same basic concept: teaching government from the township to the state level.
The American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State are the premier programs for teaching how government works, while developing leadership skills and an appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
Boys State and Girls State are summer leadership and citizenship programs for high school juniors. Boys and Girls are usually nominated by their high school during their junior year
In this exciting summer program, you can run for office, learn public speaking, draft and debate legislation, and actively participate in all phases of creating and running a working government.
The students will develop a confidence that will shape your future. Successful completion of Boys State and Girls State is recognized by employers, service academies and university admissions boards as an indicator of strong leadership and character traits. Many colleges and universities offer scholarships or admission preference to attendees of Boys or Girls State programs.
2016 American Legion Boys Nation
