About

1) to develop leadership and pride in American citizenship;

2) to arouse a keen interest in the detailed study of government;

3) to develop in the young citizens of KBS a full understanding of our American traditions and belief in the United States of America;

4) to arouse in the young citizens a determination to maintain our form of government, and from the Preamble to the American Legion’s Constitution;

5) “to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community state and nation; and

6) safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy.”

Keystone Boys State participates with two Colleges that offer college credits for attendance at either a Boys and/or Girls State and some additional online course work. This was a great opportunity for citizens to gain from one to four credit hours at a significantly reduced cost.
Clemson University offers three credit hours at a cost of $270.00. The credits are transferrable to any University, at their discretion. Having successfully completed the course in the summer between your Junior and senior year of High School will provide you an additional achievement as you seek enrollment in the college of your choice. More information may be found on the Clemson program as well as online registration by going to www.ed190.com .

The second opportunity is with Adams State College in Colorado which offers courses for up to four credit hours at a cost of $240.00. To register for this course you need to go to http://leadershipcredit.org/bgsc.php.

The costs associated with both these opportunities

will be the responsibility of citizens who enroll and

generally must be paid at the time of enrollment.

For each student who does participate, both Universities remit to the Pennsylvania American Legion a sum of $20.00 to $25.00 per student. In 2008, over $450.00 was received to allow for us to purchase material for the 2009 class.

About the Program

The American Legion’s Boys State program is one of the longest-running and most respected civic education programs for high school students in the country. Each state runs its own program. Pennsylvania’s Keystone Boys State welcomes over 130 participants each year for its program at Shippensburg University, free of cost.

At Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen through a week-long government simulation, which begins on the local level and builds up to the state level. Activities include government elections, legislative sessions, court proceedings, and law enforcement presentations.

Throughout the week, participants also hear from a variety of guest speakers, visit their representatives in Harrisburg at the State Capital, start & run their own business, partake in recreational activities (including sports, chorus and band), and much more.

How to Attend:

The program is open to an PA high school junior the summer of his junior year and is usually selected by the local American Legion Post or high school guidance department. Anyone may apply to attend by downloading the application and bringing it to your local Legion Post for sponsorship. The 2010 program will take place from June 20-26, 2010.

For Download

Boys State

Program Goals

Earn College Credit

Keystone Boys State