<p>What is it and how do you apply =/</p>
<p>Boys (and Girls) State was created by the American Legion to teach kids about government and how it works. Here is a link to some information: <a href="http://www.legion.org/?section=prog_evt&subsection=evt_bs&content=evt_bs%5B/url%5D">http://www.legion.org/?section=prog_evt&subsection=evt_bs&content=evt_bs</a></p>
<p>In our state it is held on a college campus in June and is five days long. The boys are divided into mock cities as they arrive. During the week they start out creating a city government. Then they campaign for state offices with an election on the fourth day. After the election they have a mock session of state congress which creates and votes on bills.</p>
<p>Check with a counselor at your school, that is where my son got his information about Boys State.</p>
<p>If you want to apply, go and see your counselor and tell them you are interested in attending. They will then have you write a letter on why you want to attend and will then send that around to all of the teachers so they can vote. (This is how they did it at my school, I'm sure it is done differently other places). They then take the top 2 or 3 and have local businesses sponsor you to attend. </p>
<p>The Boy's State program is just how WAMom68 explained it. When I went I found it very informational, however, it could have been structured a little differently. You wake up at 6 am to fight with 40 guys for 3 showers, eat breakfast, and attend a 3 hour long meeting at 8, have just enough time to walk across campus to another 2 hour meeting, eat lunch, etc. You also have a rec period in the afternoon where you get to go out with your cities and compete in games such as volleyball, basketball, softball, and a quiz bowl game. This was the most fun of the whole experience, since you just got to have fun and hang out with some really cool people. Over all, great experience and I recommend it to anyone who is interested. </p>
<p>Hope this helps with your questions.</p>
<p>When I asked my adviser about Boy's State, she simply replied "whats that?" If this happens to you, write or call your local American Legion and they will give you information regarding how to apply. When I applied, I had to make a resume, write an essay (I forgot what on) and tell the legionaries about myself. They decided to sponsor me and I had a great time at the camp. I recommend it to anyone interested in the workings of state government. </p>
<p>P.s. I attended the MI Boy's State in case anyone has questions about my specific Boy's State.</p>