Utah Boys State

American Legion Boys State is among the most respected educational programs of government instruction for high school students. A participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government.

 

Boy's State was founded in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boy's 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. American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate but similar program for young women called Girls State. Many Universities offer college credits for the Boys State and the Girls State program.