BOYS STATE
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American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program in which each participant becomes part of the operations of their local, county, and state government.
Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935, when it was organized to counter the Fascist inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical, with city, county, and state governments operated by students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus, and recreational programs.
High school juniors are selected by local American Legion Posts to attend the program. In most cases, expenses associated with attending this program are paid by a sponsoring American Legion Post, a local business, or another community-based organization.
American Legion Boys State is currently conducted in 49 Departments of The American Legion. Hawaii does not conduct a program. As separate corporations, Boys States vary in content and method of procedure, but each and every Boys State adheres to the basic concept of the program - that of teaching government from the township to the state level.
The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a similar program for young ladies called Girls State. For online details, visit http://www.boysandgirlsstate.org/girls.html
What is Arizona Boys State?
The American Legion Arizona Boys State is a flagship youth program of The American Legion Department of Arizona. This week-long leadership training and civics education experience is designed to teach students about how our government functions and to encourage them to become engaged citizens. Boys across the state who have completed their junior year of high school are eligible to attend Arizona Boys State.
When they arrive at Boys State, students become citizens of a fictional 51st state: Boys State. Over the next several days, students campaign and hold elections for political offices at the city, county, and state levels. Once these positions have been filled, the students learn by doing – they pass their own laws, operate their own courts, and generally govern themselves (under the supervision and guidance of the Boys State staff). Students also receive extensive instruction on court procedures, the legislative process, the criminal justice system, civil rights, and civic duties. In addition to these activities, the program offers numerous recreational opportunities, including athletic events, a band, a choir, and a daily student-run newspaper.
At the conclusion of every session of Arizona Boys State, two outstanding students are selected to represent Arizona at The American Legion Boys Nation, and one eligible student is awarded The American Legion Samsung Scholarship. To learn more about the American Legion Samsung Scholarship, click here.
Arizona Boys State is one of 50 Boys State programs operated around the country by The American Legion. The official motto of Boys State is “A Week that Shapes a Lifetime.” To learn why, please watch this video from Arizona Boys State 2025:
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To see videos from previous sessions of Arizona Boys State, click here.
For complete information on Boys Nation, click on the above logo