Welcome to Minnesota Boys State. Our program is one of the American Legion's Youth Programs. Founded over 70 years ago on the University of Minnesota campus, Boys State is now a national program practiced in 49 states. The program has been developed on the fundamental assumption that youth can best 'learn to do by doing.' The mechanics of government in Minnesota Boys State are patterned after the established agencies of city, county, and state government in Illinois. For all practical purposes, Minnesota Boys State may be regarded as a mythical 51st state with a constitution, body of law, and practices peculiar to it alone. Our student to staff ratio is 8:1, so plenty of personalized attention is given to all of our citizens.
Here is a video with more information for parents:
Boys State is a common college application activity at highly competitive schools. Participation in the program demonstrates good citizenship, leadership, and a sense of responsibility to our country. One could consider participation in Boys State the "National Honor Society" of citizenship. In Minnesota, participants are registered in numerous different fashions, including: parents, schools, school organizations, civic organizations, and Legion Posts, but every participant must officially be sponsored by a Legion Post. If your child attends, he is more than welcome to bring a sponsored friend. There is no limit to the number of students that may attend from any particular school.
Eligible participants have just completed their junior year in high school.
NBC's Tom Brokaw attended South Dakota Boys State as a young man, hear what he has to say in this video: