Maryland Boys State & Girls State

Maryland Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. A participatory program where each participant becomes part of the operation of local, county, and state government, Maryland Boys State has been proudly serving the students of our state since 1947. The program has been a program of The American Legion nationally since 1935, when it was organized to counter Fascist-inspired youth indoctrination movements — the idea of Illinois Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card.

At Maryland Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities of a franchised citizen. City, county, and state governments are operated entirely by the students elected to office. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, college preparation sessions, assemblies, bands, chorus, physical training, and recreational programs. The program runs seven days, waking at 5:30 a.m. and finishing late in the evening — a rigorous, veteran-led experience unlike any other youth program.

Maryland Boys State and McDaniel College have a partnership offering college credit and scholarship aid for Boys Staters admitted to study there. The program is free to students — costs are covered by sponsoring American Legion Posts, local businesses, or community organizations. Over 9,000 young men have attended Maryland Boys State since its founding.

Top alumni include: Bill Clinton, Neil Armstrong, Tom Brokaw, Michael Jordan, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, and hundreds of state legislators, judges, and community leaders across Maryland and the nation.

Maryland Girls State is a premier leadership program for young women, fully sponsored and hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Maryland. Girls State has been a program of The American Legion Auxiliary since 1937, when it was organized as a one- or two-day leadership development opportunity for young women. Approximately 20,000 young women enroll in the program nationally each year. In 2025, Maryland Girls State celebrated 78 sessions serving future lady leaders. Over 6,000 girls have participated in the Maryland program.

At Maryland Girls State, participants are taught the responsibilities of citizenship and the ideals of Americanism. When each girl arrives, she is appointed to a city — mirroring five real Maryland cities and their unique environments. Activities include legislative sessions, elections, court proceedings, presentations from real lobbyists who argue bills from the previous Annapolis session, assemblies, talent night, and recreational programs. The program runs six days.

Maryland Girls State and Salisbury University have a partnership offering college credit and scholarship aid for Girls Staters admitted to study there. Like Boys State, the program is free to students — costs are covered by sponsoring American Legion Auxiliary units, local businesses, or community organizations.

Notable alumni include: Janet Napolitano, Jane Pauley, Ann Richards, and many Maryland leaders across government, law, medicine, and public service.