The American Legion Boys State program was started in Illinois in 1935 and is primarily designed to help participants understand and appreciate the principles and workings of Government, at the national, state, county, and local levels.  Along with this, however, is an implied emphasis on the values, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship.

South Dakota Boys State is a week long, interactive program that begins every year on Memorial Day, and is hosted on the campus of Northern State University in Aberdeen.  Students attend the summer between their Junior and Senior years of High School, after being selected by both their school and the sponsoring post (in Aberdeen, this is Sidney L Smith, post #24). 















To apply, a candidate must be a US Citizen, living (or attending school) in South Dakota.  Selection criteria is excellence in Academics, a history of Leadership, and a record of Citizenship and Community Involvement.  Applications for Boys State are available from the school counselor's office, normally on or just after the first of February, and students from Aberdeen who have applied will be contacted for an interview with the Post's Boys State selection committee.



The 2008 session of Boys State will commence on May 26th, and run through May 31st.  Applications will be accepted via the school's counseling office (or contact the post Americanism Officer) in March, and must be turned in by the 28th of that month for consideration.  There is no cost to the student for attending, but the post does ask that all applicants be committed to attending if chosen.

For more information, see National's website