The American Legion Arizona Boys State is a flagship youth program of The American Legion Department of Arizona. This week-long leadership training and civics education experience is designed to teach students about how our government functions and to encourage them to become engaged citizens. Boys across the state who have completed their junior year of high school are eligible to attend Arizona Boys State.
When they arrive at Boys State, students become citizens of a fictional 51st state: Boys State. Over the next several days, students campaign and hold elections for political offices at the city, county, and state levels. Once these positions have been filled, the students learn by doing – they pass their own laws, operate their own courts, and generally govern themselves (under the supervision and guidance of the Boys State staff). Students also receive extensive instruction on court procedures, the legislative process, the criminal justice system, civil rights, and civic duties. Outside of these activities, the program also offers numerous recreational opportunities including athletic events, a band, a choir, and a daily student-run newspaper.
At the conclusion of every session of Arizona Boys State, two outstanding students are selected to represent Arizona at The American Legion Boys Nation, and one eligible student is awarded The American Legion Samsung Scholarship. To learn more about Boys Nation, click here. To learn more about The American Legion Samsung Scholarship, click here.
Arizona Boys State is one of 50 Boys State programs operated around the country by The American Legion. The official motto of Boys State is “A Week that Shapes a Lifetime.” To learn why, please watch this student-produced video from Arizona Boys State 2019: