Boys State Trouble

S

seb.g.b

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Jun 30, 2019
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I am trying to get into boys state from my local American legion Post as the neighboring posts told me that I have to go through where I reside. However they are really not much help if I'm gonna be honest. I first started asking in early October and in the past three months every time I call they always say they will get back to me but never do, and no one there has a good understanding of what boys state really is as the person who I talk to on the phone always says that they will ask someone about it and my assumption is that they have not sent anyone recently. I cannot walk in because their post is a bar and since I'm a minor I'm not allowed. Everytime I try to get more info it's always the same responses and I haven't gotten anywhere in the three months that I've constantly been asking about it. Any advice as to what I should do?
 
You can approach any post and request that they sponsor you. It doesn't have to be the post nearest you. My DD ended up going to another State's GS because our state's program didn't fit with her internship schedule.
 
contact the state headquarters and explain the problem
 
I know that we have a couple people here who are involved in Boys State ...maybe they can clarify the selection process. I thought American Legions solicits recommendations or nominations from Schools,, i.e. you don't ask or apply for participation. The recognition of leadership potential by the school, not the program itself, is what gives the program weight with Admissions. Is that correct ?
 
Old Navy BGO said:
I know that we have a couple people here who are involved in Boys State ...maybe they can clarify the selection process. I thought American Legions solicits recommendations or nominations from Schools,, i.e. you don't ask or apply for participation. The recognition of leadership potential by the school, not the program itself, is what gives the program weight with Admissions. Is that correct ?
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Yes that is correct. My son was selected after his junior year.

But they never submitted the paperwork for my son. So the AL officer in charge called me and had me over to his office to take care of necessary signatures.

He told me schools in general in our area ... and our school in particular ... don’t appear to be interested in Boys State like they should be. He said the school has been told they can have up to 5 boys attend but they don’t push it. He recommended to me to tell other parents and students at our school to contact him if they are interested in attending.

This is just my area and others associated with Boys State can give their perspective.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
I know that we have a couple people here who are involved in Boys State ...maybe they can clarify the selection process. I thought American Legions solicits recommendations or nominations from Schools,, i.e. you don't ask or apply for participation. The recognition of leadership potential by the school, not the program itself, is what gives the program weight with Admissions. Is that correct ?
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our HS had no clue of the process so DS contacted our local Legion directly. The Commandant at the Legion was overjoyed because there had been no interested candidates for years. Because of DS, the HS now has a handle on it and had reached out to us to get the interest going again.
 
I would agree with @Old Navy BGO . Our school counselor was very familiar with the program. Our Legion, luckily was active and wanted to sponsor someone. Our DS applied I believe online (could be mistaken) and he then interviewed with the Legion. They could only afford to sponsor one student so they selected our DS out of 5 candidates. The state coordinator was amazing as well. I would try to reach out to the state coordinator and or a larger post. Not all Legions are active participants in boys state, although it would be awesome if they were. Our state has seen declining numbers in BS attendance and they are actively trying to improve it. Good luck to you!
 
I think it depends on whether a candidate goes to public or private school. Public schools have a fairly good handle on the process. Private schools not so much in our experience. Private school kids have to be proactive and contact the posts if no school pathways exist.
 
UFDMD said:
Try web search for your state American Legion website. Most have Boys State link and list state coordinator contact information.
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GREAT INFO. Do some homework and pick up the phone and call your state coordinator. They will help. In Ohio our local post did not have the funds to send anyone. Neighboring post had space for 8-10 more.
 
Dadx4 said:
I think it depends on whether a candidate goes to public or private school. Public schools have a fairly good handle on the process. Private schools not so much in our experience. Private school kids have to be proactive and contact the posts if no school pathways exist.
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My son went to a public school so I disagree with this.
 
The funding can be an issue. The boys state rep told me there are area businesses and individuals that will cover the costs as an option, if necessary.
 
My DS high school has no idea what girls state was. I ended up calling the state chapter to find out how to get her in. Sometimes contacting the local chapters isn’t easy. Go to the state level and be persistent. I know there is a Facebook page for most of them as well.
 
I have been through the boys/girls state application process (successfully) three times with DD1/DS1/DD2. Our advice:

1. If school doesn't have program, reach out to 2 or 3 local posts, explain, and express desire to attend. Legionnaires are very helpful, and they generally want to see kids succeed like they did. There is almost always a spot somewhere for motivated kids who want to attend. BS/GS are two of their main youth programs. An in-person visit to a meeting or event goes a long way.
2. If BS/GS in your state doesn't work because of scheduling issues (summer after junior year was EXTREMELY tight for all three of my candidates), reach out to neighboring state programs or DC, with close coordination through regional/home state HQ.
3. Do not recommend contacting home state HQ about post inactivity or perceived problems with posts because word often gets back. Resolve locally and constructively. There IS a post that will support you.
4. Becoming a delegate may require a little work and patience (if alternate). Stay positive throughout the process.
5. Be proactive and patriotic!
6. Be ready to interview.
 
Regarding funding, as @A1Janitor stated, if a post can't afford to sponsor, local businesses can. The student can also fund raise to pay their own tuition. In our son's case, the post sponsored 90% and the school district paid the remainder. We just went out of pocket $100 for a seat on the round trip charter that the state coordinator arranged. It really is a great program, I know each state is different, but for our son it was a game changer and he is still in touch with the boys he met and his mentors. In addition, Boys Nation was also a great experience for him.
 
Dadx4 said:
You can approach any post and request that they sponsor you. It doesn't have to be the post nearest you. My DD ended up going to another State's GS because our state's program didn't fit with her internship schedule.
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I tried that however all nearby posts say that I have to apply to the one that's in my town.
 
Adopt3 said:
My son was selected through his high school. Talk to your HS counselor.
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I tried. They have never heard of the program and my assumption is that no one from my school has gone recently. I go a relatively small high school.
 
Dadx4 said:
I think it depends on whether a candidate goes to public or private school. Public schools have a fairly good handle on the process. Private schools not so much in our experience. Private school kids have to be proactive and contact the posts if no school pathways exist.
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I go to a public one. Only thing is it's a small high school.
 
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