NASS then Boys State

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an654

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Wondering if anyone else has run into this. DS is attending NASS this session. Upon returning, he reports to Boys State just a few days later. A couple days prior to NASS, he was dreading the quick turnaround after a full and exhilarating, yet exhausting, week in Annapolis. How poor of a decision would it be to back out of Boys State if his heart’s not in it? He was eager when he accepted the invite, but when the realization of what it entailed hit him, he appeared concerned. Natural to feel daunted by it? Tell him to get over himself? Much ado about nothing?

Edited to add: He is also concerned about an online Spanish course he has to take and finish this summer as well as a full slate of basketball camps and tournaments after Boys State.
 
At 16 or 17, this should not be a problem.
At our Boys State the boys are doing things from about 6AM until well into the evening.
That might sound tough but the adults, some of who are in the 50's and 60's are
up just as early and put it this way, our DAILY staff meeting starts at 11PM. If we
old people can do it, then the kids should also be able to handle it. Based on
many many reports from parents of Statesmen, they do so and manage to enjoy it.
Long after I was a statesman, I was the parent of a Statesman and then a few years later
became a part of the staff.
A good number of boys do one or more service academy sessions in addition to Boys State
and I've never heard of one who regretted it.
.
PS: My (USNA Grad) son did 3 weeks in a row at the end of his Junior year.
 
an654 said:
Wondering if anyone else has run into this. DS is attending NASS this session. Upon returning, he reports to Boys State just a few days later. A couple days prior to NASS, he was dreading the quick turnaround after a full and exhilarating, yet exhausting, week in Annapolis. How poor of a decision would it be to back out of Boys State if his heart’s not in it? He was eager when he accepted the invite, but when the realization of what it entailed hit him, he appeared concerned. Natural to feel daunted by it? Tell him to get over himself? Much ado about nothing?

Edited to add: He is also concerned about an online Spanish course he has to take and finish this summer as well as a full slate of basketball camps and tournaments after Boys State.
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Rising Seniors have a lot on their plate as they head into a year long season where they attempt to earn nominations and an appointment. Dropping things at the beginning of the summer may not be the best approach. And, bear in mind that once her arrives at USNA as a Plebe, it will be pretty unrelenting. Encouraging him to go for it might be better than telling him to back off.
 
Boys State is a valuable addition to his resume, as in ‘points’. It’s a line item on the application (spring camp are not, for example). I would strongly *suggest* mine to attend if they are applying to a SA. For the experience, and application.

I also know Boys State is competitive to attend. So, if he ‘backs out’, does that leave an open spot that someone else would have valued having? Idk. None of my children attended.

My PERSONAL opinion, is that my kiddo was fit (and it sounds like he is, if attending sports camps), had committed to attend, and had a couple days to rest after NASS (add another day of rest to you count bc the last day is not physical)? I would STRONGLY ENCOURAGE him to compete his commitment to go.

But that’s how I roll, personally. A commitment is a commitment. Especially when others are involved. Absent a really strong reason (ie:medical), he has committed to this class of Boys State (and was selected to attend by his school).

NASS isn’t so exhausting he won’t be able to function. My guys were both fine after attending.
 
an654 said:
Wondering if anyone else has run into this. DS is attending NASS this session. Upon returning, he reports to Boys State just a few days later. A couple days prior to NASS, he was dreading the quick turnaround after a full and exhilarating, yet exhausting, week in Annapolis. How poor of a decision would it be to back out of Boys State if his heart’s not in it? He was eager when he accepted the invite, but when the realization of what it entailed hit him, he appeared concerned. Natural to feel daunted by it? Tell him to get over himself? Much ado about nothing?

Edited to add: He is also concerned about an online Spanish course he has to take and finish this summer as well as a full slate of basketball camps and tournaments after Boys State.
Click to expand...
Mine is doing back to back to back weeks of SLE, Boys State, and NASS. Exhausting, but an experience of a lifetime. I wouldn't back out of Boys State. I hear its an amazing week, not to mention a lot of leadership points on the application.
 
Agree with all of the previous advice. Go to Boys State. His schedule will be a good test as the life of a Plebe (and midshipman) is much fuller and more active. I tell my students to use these experiences to 'stretch' and then they can note their success in their essays and interviews for USNA and other SAs. I'm sure he'll have fun!
 
Yes, go to Boys State. My DS (soon to be plebe) skipped soccer state cup regionals last year to attend four summer programs in a way (West Point, USNA, Boys State, and a non-military intellectual seminar week). All experiences were worth the sacrifices even if he was ill during two of them. Boys State is singularly rewarding. The Vets were awesome.
 
justdoit19 said:
I also know Boys State is competitive to attend. So, if he ‘backs out’, does that leave an open spot that someone else would have valued having?
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County Coordinator for Boys State here and I help our 20-odd posts send well over 60 boys to Boys State.
.
Here, If the non-attender notifies the post coordinator ASAP then they may be able to roll in an alternate if they have one and if not,
the county could possibly slot in someone from another town. We're less than 2 weeks from the start of Boys State here and its well
past the time to recruit and get a new person in, we need to go with people who are already in our pipeline. For that reason, generally
no-shows are just a total waste of very scarce $$'s to the post that fund raises and saves up all year to support the program. It
is very hard for me as the "County Guy" to face the post that had their money "pissed away" when I go to hit them up for funding
the next year.
.
Yeah, I do take no shows personally.
.
To avoid getting myself further depressed at the thought I'll just reflect on the two young Plebes to be that I recognized at their
High School awards night yesterday. I was not their BGO and was a fill in but I was very happy to recognize both of them as Statemen from
last year. One of them had a vivid memory of interacting with me and a classmate of mine and marveling at the brotherhood and
rapport that the two of us displayed even though it was obvious that we don't get to see each other very often.
. There! Now I'm in a better mood again.
 
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Thanks, everyone, for taking the time. Obviously, this is not something he is deciding on lightly or flippantly, and all of you have confirmed what I was already thinking. I am in agreement. He will be there. Thanks again to everyone who responded.
 
In 2019, DS was second-guessing his upcoming trip to Boys State, said he was not feeling it, and thought he could put his energy elsewhere. I not so politely reminded him the local post had sponsored him, spent money, and selected HIM. He just needed to be reminded of following through on his commitments, with a lot of gratitude toward those who made an investment in him.

10 days later, he is calling us to say he had been elected Boys State Governor. I think I still have the voicemail. He admitted it had been a mistake to think it wouldn't be fun or impactful. He had the time of his life up to that point and has maintained relationships with many of the boys from there, and from Boys Nation. He is also still in touch with the local legion and his Boys State counselor mentors. He also just paid his renewal as a member of the American Legion. He has said he wants to pay their efforts on his behalf forward.

He wouldn't change that experience for anything.
 
DS went to Boys State; was home about a week; is at NASS now, and will be at SLE next week. In the 2 days between NASS and SLE he'll meet with an Army ROTC PMS at a school on the east coast, since he's up that way, and it worked out. We just felt lucky nothing conflicted, and he really loved Boys State. So glad he's experiencing as much as he can to help make informed decisions on whatever choices he may have later. He can think about all that summer work later!
 
My son is at NASS 2023, boys state as soon as he comes home, then Aim High flight academy, then USAF summer seminar. With an ACT, summer courses, and... One after the other. If you want it badly, you push through it. Boys State is a line item as others have said. Don't miss out on it.
 
an654 said:
Wondering if anyone else has run into this. DS is attending NASS this session. Upon returning, he reports to Boys State just a few days later. A couple days prior to NASS, he was dreading the quick turnaround after a full and exhilarating, yet exhausting, week in Annapolis. How poor of a decision would it be to back out of Boys State if his heart’s not in it? He was eager when he accepted the invite, but when the realization of what it entailed hit him, he appeared concerned. Natural to feel daunted by it? Tell him to get over himself? Much ado about nothing?

Edited to add: He is also concerned about an online Spanish course he has to take and finish this summer as well as a full slate of basketball camps and tournaments after Boys State.
Click to expand...
Did the same thing last summer, do it it's worth it. Not only for the experience but the application. Both experiences are what you make of it.
 
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