Boys and Girls State
June 12-18, 2016 at Riverside Military Academy in Gainsville, GA
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government.
Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935 when it organized to counter the Fascist inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
Georgia Boys State is a comprehensive one week course in state and local government. It is a “leadership action program” where qualified male high school rising seniors 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 delegates have the opportunity to learn the political process by organizing a mythical 51st state. Each level of government is run by those delegates who are elected to serve. Instruction is presented on the law and court system, parliamentary procedure and Georgia political history.
June 14-19, 2015 at GA Southern University in Statesboro, GA
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State is a nonpartisan program that teaches young women responsible citizenship and love for God and Country. Since the inception of the Girls State program in 1937, nearly one million young people have had the opportunity to learn first-hand how their state and local government works.
High school girls, who have completed their Junior year, spend an intensive week of study, working together as self-governing citizens at Auxiliary-sponsored Girls State programs in every state (with the exception of Hawaii). In most cases, expenses associated with attending this program are paid by a sponsoring American Legion Post, a local business or another community-based organization.
Participants learn how to participate in the functioning of their state's government in preparation for their future roles as responsible adult citizens. Two girls are selected from each Girls State program to attend Girls Nation, a national government training program. Girls Nation "senators" meet for a week in Washington, D.C., where they run for political office, campaign for the passage of legislation and possibly meet with state Representatives and Senators. Capping off the week of Girls Nation is oftentimes a meeting with the President of the United States at the White House.
There is never an expense involved on the part of the student/participant to attend. If you are a student at one of the high schools within the Gwinnett County area or are homeschooled, please contact Chattahootchie Post 251 or your Guidance Counselor for more information. To learn more about Boys and Girls State, please click the following Links:
American Legion Georgia Boys State American Legion Auxiliary Georgia Girls State