What exactly is boys state?

Napk1ns

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Sep 30, 2019
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So I heard about boys state a few times before but never really looked into since it was for Juniors (I'm in 10th grade). Now that I'm focusing more on my application, I looked at the website, the American legion Post near me, and some other sources but it's still fuzzy to me what they do and how the selection works. I read that I have to get recommend by my school but how exactly does that work? Do they just go "Hey you're smart, wanna go to a summer camp?" And send you off or is there more to it?
Any information on this and boys state in general will help a lot. Thanks
 
I would first recommend reaching out to your high school guidance counselor for information. Some are familiar with the process, others are not. For my DS it was the latter. He found contact information for the state coordinator online and reached out via email. He was put in touch with the local coordinator who explained the process and sent him the application information. He completed the application, was invited for an interview at local American Legion post and subsequently offered a spot.
 
Schools and states handle this very differently. Talking to your guidance counselor is your best bet. My DS was simply selected by the guidance department. Chosen based off leadership and grades within the school. Never met with anyone from American legion until after he was selected.
 
I am very involved with the Boys State program in my state and have the following advice that should work just about anywhere.
To get more information about selection for Boys State, use the following path until you get some answers.

1. Your guidance counselor
2. Your School's Director of Guidance (may have knowledge that your GC does not)
3. Your local Legion Post (there should generally be a Boys State chairperson in the post)
4. The State's Boys State Chair/President (find from the boys state website)

If your school has sent boys before then guidance should be able to identify them and you can get them to tell
you more about their experiences.
 
I would suggest you reach out to your guidance counselor and your local legion post. Some guidance counselors aren't aware or involved sadly. Some legion posts are more active then others.
Our son went this past year and loved it. Our state runs it as it was designed as a mock model of our own State's Government. They were divided into 2 parties, then counties and cities and they ran for office, campaigned, gave speeches, wrote laws and bills etc. He ended up being elected governor and was selected (after applying and interviewing) to represent our state at Boys Nation in DC. His counselor recommended him, the legion interviewed him and he was then sponsored (Legion Post paid his camp costs) by the post for the camp at Boys State. The Legion paid for all of his expenses for Boys Nation as well.
He didn't get much sleep, they hit the ground running early every day and went late into the night. He wrote and gave a lot of speeches.
He made friends he will have for a long time and is in group chats with boys from State and Nation.
What he came away with was how fun it was to spend a week with boys who in his case, were selected based on grades, leadership and character so he was with a group of boys who all had that in common.
He also had an amazing group of counselors who he is still in touch with and who continue to mentor him.
Do your research on your local Legion and State Program. The Legion, Nationwide does amazing things for youth.
 
Our daughter attended the Girls State version. She loved it. She competed for the State slot amongst other interested girls from our area. Then at State she won Senator and went on to Girls Nation.

I cannot speak highly enough of these programs and really encourage you to pursue it. The Legion does an amazing job!
 
The "How To" question has mostly been answered by other posters.

As to the "What is it" question, I'll take a stab at that one but it too has been (at least partially) answered. The program typically is one week long and focused on teaching government through actual campaigning, elections and law making. From that perspective it is a very hands-on and engaged approach (at least in my home state) to teach government. Obviously how and where each state conducts their respective session will vary. At the end of the day it is a great opportunity for a rising Junior to experience growth while meeting new friends and gaining leadership skills. Having Boys State on a college application, whether a SA or not, is valuable.

Note that these comments are generally true for Girls State programs as well.
 
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