- Hands-on Civics: Participants (called "citizens" or "delegates") learn how government works by building and running mock municipal, county, and state governments.
- Party Systems: Citizens divide into two simulated political parties (traditionally named the Federalists and the Nationalists) to write platforms, hold conventions, and run campaigns.
- Elections and Governance: They run for public offices, draft and debate legislation, and manage administrative duties just like real-world officials.
- Schedule and Intensity: According to discussions by participants on Reddit, the program features a demanding, high-intensity schedule running from morning until late at night with continuous group activities.
- Who Attends: High school juniors (rising seniors) chosen for their leadership potential, academic standing, and interest in community involvement.
- Selection Process: Local high schools and sponsoring American Legion Auxiliary units interview and select applicants, with programs held across almost all U.S. states.
- Cost: The program is largely or completely funded by the American Legion Auxiliary and local organizations, requiring little to no expense from the delegates' families.
- Two top representatives from each state program are chosen to advance to ALA Girls Nation, a similar federal-level mock government program held in Washington, D.C.
- What state you are located in
- Your current grade in high school
ELIGIBILITY: High school students who participate in and complete either an American Legion Boys State or Auxiliary Girls State program and is a direct descendant, i.e. child, grandchild or legally adopted child of a U. S. Veteran who served during a period of war. Furnish requested information when completing this application. Do not attach any documents or additional pages to this application, except as requested. All other documentation or added pages will be discarded.
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Name:____________________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________
City:_______________________________ State: _______________ Zip___________
E-mail:_____________________________
Telephone: _________________________
Date of Birth - Month_____ Day ____ Year______
I am the (state relationship)____________ of (Veteran's Name) ____________________________
Veteran's Address (if living)________________City________________State______Zip___________
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who served active duty during one or more of the following periods: (Check one)
(April 6, 1917 -November 11, 1918) World War I
(December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946) World War II
(June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955) Korean War
(February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975) Vietnam War
(August 24, 1982 - July 31,1984) Lebanon/Grenada
(December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990) Operation Just Cause
(August 2, 1990 - Today)* Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
and Until Cessation of Hostilities.
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High School Record: This section to be completed by a High School Official.
Number of Students in High School _________ Number of Students in Applicant's Class___________
Cummulative Grade Point Average (GPA)____ GPA scale is:_________ (i.e. 4 or 6 or 12 point, etc)
Expected Date of Graduation______________
Signature______________________________ Date _____________________________________
Print Name & Title
Affix School Stamp or Seal
(Print page and completed application)