Program Information
Kentucky’s American Legion
Kentucky Boys State
Boys State IS….
Boys State is a nationally recognized youth leadership and citizen training program designed for outstanding young men between their junior and senior year of high school. The program brings the best and brightest students throughout Kentucky for a 6-day hands-on learning experience.
Students will:
Learn about government and politics.
Develop an understanding and knowledge of government at the city, county, and state levels and the role/impact of politics.
Enhance their leadership skills.
Exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens by voting.
Participate in Schools of Instruction, which will provide the skills and knowledge they will utilize in the positions they are elected or appointed to during the week.
Hear from state and national-level speakers who will share information on current events and the need for active leaders.
Become eligible for scholarships and university credit.
Mission
Using our democratic system as a basis each year, we equip the citizens of KYBS to construct their state, utilizing the core values that hold true in our everyday lives. We teach the need for competition, the value of public office, the strength of the individual voice, and voting. By reinforcing these fundamental American ideals, we help them all to shape the future.
Political Parties
Political Party designation will be assigned in the city on arrival at KYBS.
Two-Party System.
Either a Nationalist or Federalist.
Not Democrats and Republicans.
Students develop party platforms and hold party caucuses.
First Day
The Program is held from June 4 to June 9, 2023.
The citizens will report to the Ellis Complex parking lot (200 Christopher Street) and follow COVID-19 protocols to receive a Building Entry Pass.
Required to start the program: Registration Card; COVID-19 Waiver & Release of Liability Form; Insurance & Medical Form; Citizen Authorization and Academic Policy Form. Citizens are strongly encouraged to complete the entire program.
First Day
The Program is held from June 4 to June 9, 2023.
The citizens will report to the Ellis Complex parking lot (200 Christopher Street) and follow COVID-19 protocols to receive a Building Entry Pass.
Required to start the program: Registration Card; COVID-19 Waiver & Release of Liability Form; Insurance & Medical Form; Citizen Authorization and Academic Policy Form. Citizens are strongly encouraged to complete the entire program.
SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTION
All citizens will learn about citizenship, government, effective speaking and campaigning, legal, legislative, law enforcement, and media.
Each citizen will choose a School of Instruction in a specialized area of his choice.
Seasoned professionals will teach in each field; most are KYBS alums.
The schools will equip the citizens with the tools necessary to perform their roles and effectively succeed at KYBS.
Schools of Instruction
Law
Law Enforcement & Public Safety
Legislative & Executive Policy
Campaigning & Political Operations
Journalism & Media
Public Administration
Commerce
LAST DAY
Parents/guardians, friends, and family are invited to our commencement.
The final date of the program is June 9, 2023.
COVID-19 restrictions will be in place. Masks are required.
We will award
- Model City/Model County
- Individual Performance Awards
- Outstanding Judge
- Outstanding Treasurer
- Outstanding Journalist, etc.
- Athletic Awards
All participants will have the opportunity to participate in Boys Nation.
Students are nominated and then interviewed and selected by a committee.
Two Boy State Senators from Kentucky will join 96 other Senators and learn about the national level of government.
Our citizens will have the opportunity to run for President and Vice President of Boys Nation.
Our citizens will have the potential to meet their Senator and the President.
This program will be held in July in Arlington, VA.
All expenses are paid.
This will be announced at the Closing Ceremony.
PARENT INFORMATION
Our citizens are restricted from having visitors during the week.
1. Visitors are NOT allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
2. Our citizens are strongly discouraged from having items dropped off. We are building a sense of discipline and self-reliance.
In the event, something has to be dropped off…
We ask that you do not enter the building
That you park and call our number
That you stay in your vehicle
We will ensure someone will come and pick up the item or items to be delivered.
1. We encourage the parents to visit our website during the week to follow along at www.kyboysstate.net and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
2. Activities and events, including election results, photos, daily newspaper, and radio programs, will all be posted on our website.
3. Emails may be sent to a citizen by using the form found on our website (kyboysstate.net). It will be received in the Kentucky Boys State Headquarters and delivered to the citizen.
1. All parents, family, and friends are encouraged to attend the closing assembly and awards ceremony.
2. NO registration or check-in is required.
3. June 9th, doors open at 9:30 a.m. in the Multi-purpose Building.
4.COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Masks will be required.
5. Awards Ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. and should conclude around 11:00 a.m. when the citizens will be dismissed.
6. Everyone should be off campus no later than 12:00 a.m.
7. Accessible seating is available.
8. Share that the KYBS Store will be open. For purchase: t-shirts, caps, souvenirs, city photographs, large group photographs, etc.
Important Information
Certificate of Achievement
We highly encourage our citizens to take their certificate of achievement home, many scholarship organizations use it to verify authentication.
- We will provide a POST-Program Press Release that will be mailed to the citizens following KYBS.
- We will include the citizen’s KYBS activities, offices, and awards along with their sponsor information.
- Encourage everyone to submit the press release to their local and school newspapers and radio stations.
Sponsor information
We always need sponsors. Sponsorship is what allows our organization to continue. We train, teach and mentor the next generation to be better than those that precede them; if you desire to participate in this process click here.