Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935 when it 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 and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the 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.
Copyright 2019-2020 The American Legion - All Rights Reserved
Application For American Legion Boys State & American Legion Auxiliary Girls State
ELIGIBILITY; High school students who participate in and complete either an American Legion Boys State or Auxiliary Girls State program and is a direct decendant, i.e. child, grandchild or legally adopted child of a U. S. veteran who served during a period of after Word War II. Furnish requested information when completing this application. Do not attach any documents or additional pages to this application, except as requested. All other documentation or added pages will be discarded.
Name:____________________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________
City:_______________________________ State: _______________ Zip___________
E-mail:_____________________________
Telephone: _________________________
Date of Birth - Month_____ Day ____ Year______
I am the (state relationship)____________ of (vetean's name ____________________________
Veteran's Address (if living)________________City________________State______Zip___________
===================================================================================
who served active duty during one or more of the following periods: (Circle One)
(December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946) World War II
(June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955) Korean War
(February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975) Vietnam War
(August 24, 1982 - July 31,1984) Lebanon/Grenada
(December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990) Operation Just Cause
(August 2, 1990 - Today)* Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
(December 7, 1941 and Until Cessation of Hostilities or Presidential Proclaimation)
===================================================================================
High School Record: This section to be completed by a high scchool official.
Number of students in high school _________ Number of students a applicant's class___________
Cummulative Grade Point Average (GPA)____ GPA scale is:_________ (i.e. 4 or 6 or 12 point, etc)
Expected Date of Graduation______________
Signature______________________________ Date _____________________________________
Print name & title
Affix school stamp or seal
(Print page and complete application)