Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between American Legion California Boys & Girls State and ALA California Girls State?
American Legion California Boys & Girls State, formerly American Legion California Boys State, chose to become a fully inclusive, Co-Ed Program commencing with our 2023 Session.
ALA California Girls State is a completely separate program conducted by a different organization and is not affiliated with American Legion California Boys & Girls State. - Can a student apply to attend both American Legion California Boys & Girls State and ALA California Girls State?
American Legion California Boys & Girls State does not have an application process. Students interested in attending must be nominated by their respective schools and selected by a local sponsoring American Legion Post. - May a student attend both American Legion California Boys & Girls State and ALA California Girls State?
American Legion California Boys & Girls State accepts all students selected by local, sponsoring American Legion Posts. American Legion California Boys & Girls State has no restrictive rules about attending any other program.
Once accepted as a Delegate, Delegates are required to commit to attending the entire program (e.g., not arriving late and/or leaving early). - When are Boys & Girls State Delegates chosen?
Boys & Girls State delegates are typically interviewed by local, sponsoring American Legion Posts between late January and late March with final selections due by April 1. - Who is eligible to attend American Legion California Boys & Girls State?
The American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program is open to all high school students who have completed their Junior year of High School and have at least one semester of high school remaining (Senior year). - How are California Boys & Girls State delegates chosen?
Delegates to the American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program are sponsored by local American Legion Posts. Students in their Junior year of high school that are interested in attending should first contact their high school counselor to express their interest and to find out if their school has had the opportunity to send delegates in the past. Most schools that send delegates make recommendations to their local American Legion Post. If the school has not sent delegates in recent years, the school or the interested student should contact their local American Legion Post for further assistance. To find the closest American Legion Post, please click on “Find a Post.” - Who do I contact if a student or school is having difficulty reaching their local American Legion Post?
You may send an email to:- Tim Aboudara, Chief Counselor at taboudarasr@gmail.com
- or to Gary Leach, Director at gary_leach@att.com
- I have been chosen as a Delegate, what happens next?
Upon selection, you will be given a Blue Sponsorship Card. Follow the instructions given to you by your American Legion Post Chairperson. Fill out the card, sign it, have one of your parents sign it. Next, complete the Online Registration Process (carefully follow the instructions attached to the Blue Card). After you have completed your Online Registration, be sure to promptly return the Blue Card to the Boys & Girls State Chairperson of your sponsoring American Legion Post.
On or about April 1st, you and your parents will receive an email informing you that the Delegate Packet is ready to be downloaded. Please retrieve this promptly. The information in the packet will provide you with just about everything you should need to prepare for your week at the American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program. The packet will also contain information regarding The American Legion Samsung Scholarship. The application process will take a little time, so be sure to start on it early.
Your sponsoring Post Chairperson will provide you with information about a date and time for your Boys & Girls State District Orientation and the transportation arrangements for getting you to California State University, Sacramento. On/about March 15. Information regarding dates, times virtual District Orientations will be available under the Delegate and Parent tabs of this website Please remember that delegates are not allowed to drive themselves to the campus and have the vehicle there while participating in the program. - What do I do if something happens and I am not going to be able to attend California Boys & Girls State?
If something happens and you are not going to be able to attend the American Legion California Boys & Girls State, please contact the Boys & Girls State Chairperson of the Post who sponsored you as soon as possible. Your fee to attend has already been paid by your sponsoring Post. By immediately contacting the Post Boys & Girls State Chairperson, it allows them to contact an Alternate to attend in your place.