Boys State - to be, or not to be?

DS staffed NYLT for 3 years (including ASPL), got elected Lt. Gov at Boys State and attended NASS. For NYL it was his favorite BSA experience and it is one thing he will miss dearly. Enjoyed more than Philmont, Sea Base and NT.

So true! DS first staffed our NYLT (we do 4 one-week sessions in our Council) back when he was 14 - youngest staffer in any of the four weeks. It changed him in ways I never imagined. He came back incredibly matured (agreed - staffing NYLT has been his best Scouting experience, over Philmont etc.). They do a staff reflection at the end of the week session (just the youth staff after the participants have left) and the SPL (an unbelievably fine young man) got up in front of the youth staff and began to say what Scouting has meant to him. He couldn't finish. The whole group was crying without embarrassment (in a good way that you rarely see in young men). SPL explained that this was his very last moment as a Scout and told his staff (for the first time) that in the morning, he was flying out to West Point for Beast. It was at that second that my son began to focus on SAs. From that day on, he has lived the Scout Oath and Law "fiercely" (his word). We've talked about the Honor Code and he says he already lives it every day, but he just calls it something else. You just cannot over exaggerate the power of servant leadership.

He has one more year NYLT staffing after this year and will almost certainly be the SPL of one of the four week sessions next June. With God's grace, he will get through his final staff reflection. It is stunning to see the caliber of young leaders that this Country produces.
 
"They do a staff reflection at the end of the week session (just the youth staff after the participants have left) and the SPL (an unbelievably fine young man) got up in front of the youth staff and began to say what Scouting has meant to him. He couldn't finish. The whole group was crying without embarrassment (in a good way that you rarely see in young men). SPL explained that this was his very last moment as a Scout and told his staff (for the first time) that in the morning, he was flying out to West Point for Beast. It was at that second that my son began to focus on SAs. From that day on, he has lived the Scout Oath and Law "fiercely" (his word). We've talked about the Honor Code and he says he already lives it every day, but he just calls it something else. You just cannot over exaggerate the power of servant leadership."

What a great Scout story! Hope you don't mind it if I use it with DS #2. When the boys embrace the Scout Oath and Law, service to others is the natural progression. Great story.
 
However, if you do attend and do really well, it can help you slightly. More or less than Boy's State? Don't have that answer as I know Boy's State is viewed very favorably by USNA.

I agree. Others are guessing on the admissions impact of NASS, but none of us work in USNA admissions. Best to assume you are being evaluated and do your best. A very poor or excellent rating could impact the outcome. You should approach all aspects of SA admissions as a competition and always try to do your best.

Boys State in some parts of the country is now just a 'pay to play' activity where all who pay the fee get to attend. USNA values Boys State partly due to the selection criteria they used to have nationwide. You don't buy "leadership" by attending a paid seminar then anyone can attend, even if u find the experience enjoyable. Lots of older threads on that topic.
 
My son decided to turn down Boys State because the 2nd session of NASS was the only one he could attend. He already had a church mission trip to South Carolina for a week planned during the last NASS session, too. He was still in school and made it to state for track during the first session. He actually found out the same week in April about making it to both. My DS only out down the one session when he signed up and was grateful for the opportunity.
 
Boy's State for sure. Great experience and it does "check a box" on the same line as Eagle Scout.
 
I don't know. There's alot of info about how summer seminars don't really count for admission, but I'm not sure. I think there are intangibles to admission. However, my DD went to Girls State and NASS and didn't get in.
 
Another thought:
Your son goes to NASS (if invited) and doesn't do Boys State. He doesn't get into USNA.
Would he regret not doing everything he could?

I think the issue is that right now, he value NASS because he gets immersed in the environment he wants to be in. But USNA values Boys State more.
 
Great perspectives from all! Thanks.

To clarify, he visited USNA in the fall with my wife. They visited because of his enthusiasm for USNA & came back even more excited. He bought a USNA sport pullover that he wears so much that his classmates ask if he ever washes it. The BGO & a mid visited the high school in early Dec. & DS’s guidance counselor made sure he met with them (he was the only one they met with). Since October he’s been getting up at 6:00 am every day to run 3 miles, weight training (which he has been doing for some time) & joined the wrestling team to get more contact sports. It’s tough because he works 3 days a week & missed some practices (so he won’t letter - but he will letter in baseball this spring). So he seems very committed but he freely admits that he doesn’t know for sure what life as a mid will be like.

He’s less enthused about applying to USAFA - he hasn’t been to CS & has not applied to SS there, although he plans on applying there for appointment too. We will visit there this summer.

He really wants to go to NASS if offered but would reluctantly rethink it if Boys State would improve his chance at USNA.

If he has already “maxed out” his leadership for WCS w/r to Boys State then the decision would be easier (but one never knows).

Does “successful” participation in NASS help?
I’ve been affiliated with Palmetto Boys State since I was a citizen in 1982. Granted, there are only a couple of programs that approach ours in activity, the vast majority of Boys State programs are invaluable. My boys both attended. One is USNA Class of 17, and one is USNA20. Both attended NASS. Cram them both in if possible. Choose Boys State over NASS.

I’m not sure there is any admissions advantage given for NASS. There are points for Boys State.
 
I don't know. There's alot of info about how summer seminars don't really count for admission, but I'm not sure. I think there are intangibles to admission. However, my DD went to Girls State and NASS and didn't get in.

I absolutely agree with Dadx4. If your DD is from Northern VA, it’s like applying to West Point from Long Island NY. Extremely difficult with the best qualifications to get the Nomination. And even with Nom you have to have the top USMA WCS = USNA WCM to get that 1 spot in your district out of nearly 1,000 competing for 4 Appointments in NY03 to each 4 SAs. I understand No LOAs are given in Long Island NY due to neck to neck competition. Otherwise have to wish your luck of draw in NWL pool with a Nomination.
 
I went to Boys State and can honestly say it was a very rewarding experience. I'm also very familiar with the jam-packed month of June as I did the same thing when I was applying to USNA 10 years ago. I'd definitely recommend attending Boys State. Also, if he DOES attend and gets selected for Boys Nation, that will look all that much better and will be an experience he will never forget.
 
My DS attended NASS #3 last June, spent two days at home, then attended Boys State. It was hard to tell which one he enjoyed more, when we picked him up he seemed to be having the time of his life. He was definitely more tired after NASS though. All he wanted was a big cheeseburger and a long nap in the truck on the way home.
 
DS attended Boys State last June. He said 90-95% of the boys he got to know were applying to one or more SAs...he saw several of them again while waiting for his MOC interviews.
 
Great perspectives from all! Thanks.

To clarify, he visited USNA in the fall with my wife. They visited because of his enthusiasm for USNA & came back even more excited. He bought a USNA sport pullover that he wears so much that his classmates ask if he ever washes it. The BGO & a mid visited the high school in early Dec. & DS’s guidance counselor made sure he met with them (he was the only one they met with). Since October he’s been getting up at 6:00 am every day to run 3 miles, weight training (which he has been doing for some time) & joined the wrestling team to get more contact sports. It’s tough because he works 3 days a week & missed some practices (so he won’t letter - but he will letter in baseball this spring). So he seems very committed but he freely admits that he doesn’t know for sure what life as a mid will be like.

He’s less enthused about applying to USAFA - he hasn’t been to CS & has not applied to SS there, although he plans on applying there for appointment too. We will visit there this summer.

He really wants to go to NASS if offered but would reluctantly rethink it if Boys State would improve his chance at USNA.

If he has already “maxed out” his leadership for WCS w/r to Boys State then the decision would be easier (but one never knows).

Does “successful” participation in NASS help?

Successful participation at Boys State has an impact on the application not attending NASS. Someone mentioned on this thread that a CVW would be the way to go if you're son's offered one. They really shadow a current Mid and it's a truer sense of life at the Academy. Good luck!!
 
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