The Boys
State Program
Boys State is a comprehensive one week course in state and local government . Florida American Legion Boys State is a "leadership action program" where qualified male high school juniors take part in a practical government course. It is designed to develop a working knowledge of the structure of government and to impress upon the citizen the fact that our government is just what we make it. Along the way they will have the opportunity to learn the political process. Each level of government will be run by those delegates who are elected to serve. Instruction will be presented on the law and court system, parliamentary procedure and Florida political history.
Boys State Objectives
Boys State is a non-partisan program which encompasses the following
objectives:
To develop civic leadership and pride in American
Citizenship.
To arouse a keen interest in the detailed study of our
government.
To develop in the citizens a determination to maintain our form of
government, primarily by bringing them to the realization of how great it
is to be an American.
To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the Community,
State and Nation.
To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of Justice,
Freedom and Democracy.
Program Highlights
Boys State is a learning experience in practical democracy.
Citizens learn the political process through the election process
for the offices of the mythical 51st state.
Each delegate is assigned to a political party which has no
philosophy or platform until the delegates develop one.
Delegates use the basic laws and procedures of the State of Florida
as a guide for their week.
Speakers from all levels of government provide valuable lessons for
the delegates.
Earn college credit through the dual enrollment program between
Tallahassee Community College and your local school board.
Use of the State Capitol by the Boys State Legislature and Cabinet
add realism to the program.
A highly qualified staff provides guidance and
leadership.
Two delegates will participate in Boys Nation held in Washington,
D.C. in July.
Five delegates will receive two year scholarships from Tallahassee
Community College and the remaining two years at Florida State
University.
The program will be held at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, July 11-17, 2010. Delegates are required to check in by 10 am on July 11 and will be release at 7:30 am on July 17.
Political Organization
An effective political organization is created at Boys State to operate from the local through the
State level. The government organization provides for such features as
city, county and state elections. The citizens are organized into two political
parties. The Nationalist and Federalist. In each Boys State city, half are
Nationalist and half are Federalist. Each citizen is pre-assigned to a party,
and roommates are from opposite parties. Each political party meets to establish
its platform and candidates for state offices.
The program will be held at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, July 8-14, 2009. Delegates are required to check in by 10 am on July 8 and will be release at 7:30 am on July 14.
Boys Nation
This program extends the Boys State experience to the national level for two delegates from each state, for this once in a lifetime experience. Through counselor recommendations and an interview process two delegates and two alternates will be selected. The program is held in Washington, D.C. during the month on July.
All expenses are paid by The American Legion Boys Nation program.
