Confused about Boys State - anyone can go?

xray328

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2015
Messages
189
Hey guys. For some reason I was thinking that you had to be nominated by your local American Legion to attend Boys State? I was looking at the Illinois website though and it looks like if you meet the eligibility requirements, all you have to do is apply and send in the money:

http://illinoisboysstate.org/
 
This question has been coming up quite a bit recently. It USED to be that there was a selection criteria to attend Boys State. Apparently in some states that is no longer the case and anyone who applies can attend. Each state may choose to make their own rules regarding who can attend Boys State and I assume the SA's will be reevaluating how they value this activity if it simply becomes a 'pay to play' event regardless of how valuable someone thinks attending might be.
 
Here is the eligibility for Illinois Boys State: http://illinoisboysstate.org/registration-2/eligibility/

Really all it is looking for is that you be a junior or have completed junior year, haven't gone to prior sessions, and you're there the whole session, and you agree to follow their rules.

When you look at the registration form, you will see that it has a section for Sponsor Information. You do require a sponsor which can be from the American Legion, but I have also seen groups of kids sent by a school ( whether or not that sponsor went through an American Legion, I do not know).

Go Stelle County!
 
In some areas there IS a selection criteria which doesn't necessarily mean others can't go also. In other areas, especially where schools don't participate, you CAN attend if you can get an American Legion post to sponsor you and you pick up the tab. This is how my son attended. It's been this way for years, so I doubt any reassessment will be made. The value IS in attending. It's a great program.
 
In Florida, it was by nomination and there only so many spots. The event was paid for by the American legion sponsor, no cost to the student.
 
In Kentucky. our DS was sponsored by a local American Legion post who also paid for him.
 
Like to agree, but it all depends on the State. My son's high school picked two students who were to represent the school and the Local American Legion. We called the Boys State management, and they said if we came up with the money they had room for him. He paid his own way. $300.

The following year My Daughter who is home schooled wanted to go. She called the Girls state Rep and was told that they were quite full but had saved 2 slots in the whole state for Homeschoolers. She immediately sent them a resume, and pestered them till she got one of those slots. Being a bit more frugal, and less afraid to ask, she talked the local bank and a lawyer's office into sponsoring her even got $100. they lawyer said she could apply towards the proper clothing.

We had several people tell us that whole thing about "The only way to go is to be picked by your school" . That did not turn out to be the case, again I am sure every area is different.
Another advantage to "Fly over land"
 
Our son went to boys state in Illinois. He was nominated through this school. He enjoyed it very much. Our daughter went to girls state, had fun too.
 
Yes, there is an interview process with the American legion post after which boys are chosen to go.
 
Son just went to Texas Boys State. There's an interview process. He was nominated by a teacher, then interviewed with American Legion. The American Legion selected and paid for the boys attending from our area.
Ditto. DS is attending NASS after SLE and Tx BS. DS is concern about today's CFA test after the brutal march to the Capitol in the 100+ Texas heat but will give his best shot.
 
Ditto. DS is attending NASS after SLE and Tx BS. DS is concern about today's CFA test after the brutal march to the Capitol in the 100+ Texas heat but will give his best shot.

DS was home from Tx boys state and left for USAFA SS on Sunday. He traded heat and humidity for high altitude! I think our son is home for 3 days the entire month of June. :)
 
Back
Top