Boys State - A most rewarding experience

Boys State general assembly.

American Legion Boys’ State is a week-long program that immerses high school youth (currently completing their junior year) in citizenship and leadership training. They learn the practical aspects of government as it exists in New York State, and come to recognize that the individual is integral to the character and success of government. They also participate in physical fitness, teamwork and other activities under the guidance of American Legion counselors and U.S. Marines.

Boys’ State takes place at Morrisville State College usually the last week in June. 

If you or a youth you know would like to apply, contact your local American Legion Post to inquire about sponsoring you to Boys State. Once a Post agrees to sponsor you, you will receive a notification to go ahead and submit the online application to this year’s Boys State program.

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ALA Girls State

Female high school students who have completed their junior year are competitively selected and sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary units for this program, where they learn about the political process by electing officials for all levels of state government and actively running a mock government. The girls are assigned to mock cities and either the “Federalist Party” or “Nationalist Party.”

WHAT IS ALA EMPIRE GIRLS STATE?

ALA Empire Girls State is an educational program of the American Legion Auxiliary, developed from the concept that youth should be offered a better perspective of the practical operation of government; that the individual is an integral part and commensurably responsible for the character and success of her government. It is an activity of high educational value, born of a need for youth training in Americanism and practical good citizenship. The entire program is a non-partisan, apolitical attempt to teach and instill pride in our youth of America a love of God and Country.

ALA Empire Girls State is easily classified as an Action Program. Qualified high school juniors interview for a chance to take part in a practical government course designed to develop in the young citizen a working knowledge of the structure of government and to impress upon them the fact that their government is just what they make it. We endeavor in one week to instruct the young women attending about the privileges of the vote, how political parties are formed and how leaders are chosen and elected to fill the various offices – it serves to instill in them the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of the American Citizenship as they actually participate in the process.

What is ALA Empire Girls State?

• Workshops in Government Process

• Running Campaigns

• Writing Bills

• Participating in Flag Raising and Lowering Cemonies

• Participating in the Pledge of the Allegiance daily

• Participating in a POW/MIA Ceremony

What ALA Empire Girls State IS NOT?

• A US History Lesson

• A Sports Camp

• A Recreational Camp

• A Women’s History Lesson

Participants become Citizens of a 51st mythical state in which they elect their own officials from County officials, judges, members of the legislature, State officials and a Governor. They organize into two parties, introduce and debate bills, and carry out the duties of the office to which they are elected or appointed. Much excitement and political maneuvering comes about as they get acquainted, hold their caucuses, elect party leaders and then go on to elect the other officials