This time of year is normally marked by high school juniors competing for the Oratorical and beginning the application process for Maryland Boys State.
The American Legion, Department of Maryland, has a long and proud history with the American Legion Oratorical Contest, having produced six winners since the contest's beginning in 1938. Five of these winners have occurred just in the past 20 years.
Eligibility:
Male 2023-2024 High School Junior with at least 1 semester remaining in Senior Year - Not participating or planning to participate in any other Boys State Program.
(Females apply for Girls State at Girls State under the Auxiliary tab)
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 in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government. At Boys State, participants learn the rights, priviledges, and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers of the structure of city, county and state government.
Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs. High school juniors are selected by local American Legion posts to attend the program. 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.
In Maryland, Boys State is conducted annually and typically begins on Fathers Day and runs through the following Saturday. To be eligible for Boys State, a youth must be a male who has successfully completed their junior year in high school by the beginning of Boys State. Any boy who has previously attended a Boys State is not eligible.
Maryland Boys State 2024
Scheduled for June 16-22, 2024 at McDaniel College in Westminster MD.
***(Note that dates and location subject to change)
Deadline for Application is May 1, 2024
Any boy who has previously attended a Boys State is not eligible.
