History
Kentucky’s American Legion
Kentucky Boys State
Tradition Of Excellence
Boys State was founded in 1935 to counter the socialism-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.
Participants of Boys State learn the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of the city, county, and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses, and recreational programs.
American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate but similar program for young women called Girls State.
Civic Education
We teach by doing. All participants will learn about citizenship, government, effective speaking and campaigning, the legal process, the legislative process, law enforcement, and media.
Seasoned professionals teach the program in each field; most are KYBS alumni.
Every participant of Kentucky Boys State should be determined to aspire for elective or appointive office. He, therefore, should take an active part in the primary caucus and the primary and general election campaigns to ensure the election of either himself or his candidate or party. It is suggested that each young man attending familiarize himself with the duties and responsibilities of the office for which he feels he is the best suited.
Civic Education
We teach by doing. All participants will learn about citizenship, government, effective speaking and campaigning, the legal process, the legislative process, law enforcement, and media.
Seasoned professionals teach the program in each field; most are KYBS alumni.
Every participant of Kentucky Boys State should be determined to aspire for elective or appointive office. He, therefore, should take an active part in the primary caucus and the primary and general election campaigns to ensure the election of either himself or his candidate or party. It is suggested that each young man attending familiarize himself with the duties and responsibilities of the office for which he feels he is the best suited.
Tradition Of Excellence
The first session of Kentucky Boys State was held at the Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky., August 4th through the 10th, 1940. Since the initial session, over 25,000 outstanding Kentucky young men have attended these sessions to learn firsthand about democratic government.
This program is designed to train Kentucky youth in the fundamentals of good citizenship and governmental operations. It is not intended to take the place of civics or government classes taught in the schools of the Commonwealth.
