Eligibility:
-Male 2022-2023 High School Juniors with at least 1 semester remaining in Senior Year (Females apply for Girls State at https://www.facebook.com/ALAMDGS/)
-Not particpated or planning to particpate in any other Boys State Program
Maryland Boys State 2023
Scheduled for June 18-24, 2023 at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD (Subject to change) The application portal will be live by November 15, 2022
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 where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government. 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. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a similar program for young ladies called Girls State. 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.
In Maryland, Boys State is conducted annually and typically begins on Fathers Day and runs through the following Saturday. To be eligible for Boys State, a youth must be a male who has successfully completed their junior year in high school by the beginning of Boys State. Any boy who has previously attended a Boys State is not eligible.
Maryland Boys State 2023 - Scheduled for June 18-24, 2023 at McDaniel College in Westminster MD. ***(Note that dates and location subject to change)
Deadline for Application is May 1, 2023
MD Boys State Promotional Flyer for Post use
MD Boys State Information Flyer for Post use
More Resources :
Student Online Application portal
School letter for High School Counselors
MD Boys State 2023 Facebook page
Maryland Boys State 2019 Facebook page (to get a view of what the week is like from last year program conducted in person)
Maryland Boys State 2018 Facebook page (to get a view of what the week is like from 2018)
Maryland Boys State 2017 Facebook page (to get a view of what the week is like from 2017)
2022 Maryland Boys State Program Book
Suggested Boys State Packing List
Staff Resources
Note: Child Abuse Awareness Training will be emailed to you upon notification of background scheck submission sent to boysstate@mdlegion.org by the applicant
