History of the Program
In the vibrant tapestry of history, the Boys State program emerged as a beacon of democratic spirit in 1935, fueled by the visionary minds of Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card. Kennedy, an impassioned instructor at Loyola University Chicago School of Law and Americanism Chairman of the Illinois Department of the American Legion, joined forces with Card, the Department of Illinois Boy Scout chairman and junior high school instructor, to address their concerns about youth participation in what were dubbed “Young Pioneer Camps” during the politically charged late 1930s.
These camps, alternatively branded as either fascist- or communist-inspired, bore echoes of left-wing movements akin to the Young Pioneer Camps of the Soviet Union that had made waves in the U.S. Kennedy, astutely perceptive, discerned the need for a counter-movement among the nation’s youth. A movement that would champion the democratic ideals, emphasizing their importance and value while actively preserving and perpetuating them.
With the approval of the Illinois Department of the American Legion, their ambitious project materialized in June 1935, marking the birth of the nation’s first Boys State on the grounds of the Illinois State Fair.
As the program gained momentum, a parallel narrative unfolded with the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA), paving the way for girls of high school age to seize similar opportunities. ALA Girls State was born in 1937, seamlessly woven into the fabric of ALA’s enduring better citizenship programs. This initiative, a pivotal component of the ALA’s better citizenship programs since 1948, mirrored the success of its male counterpart.
The program’s impact and significance transcended its origins, as evidenced by a documentary film spotlighting the 2018 Texas Boys State Program, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020. Released on Apple TV+, this documentary offered a compelling glimpse into the program’s transformative influence on the young minds shaping the future.
Today, Boys State programs currently exist in all American Legion departments in the United States except Hawaii. As separate entities, Boys State programs vary in content and method of procedure, but each adheres to the same basic concept: teaching government from the township to the state level.
In a historic stride towards delivering a relevant and relatable program that meets the needs of today’s youth, the American Legion California Boys State program transitioned to being a fully inclusive Program in 2023. The newly rebranded American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program is the only inclusive American Legion program of its type.
American Legion California Boys & Girls State stands as a beacon among the most respected and selective educational programs for U.S. high school students, initially conceived to counter the socialist-inspired Young Pioneer Camps. Its immersive curriculum empowers participants to grasp the intricacies of local, county, and state governments. From legislative sessions to court proceedings, law enforcement presentations to vibrant assemblies, American Legion California Boys & Girls State is a dynamic crucible where students actively participate in the mechanics of governance.
In this dynamic saga, American Legion California Boys & Girls State continues to evolve, a living testament to the resilience of democratic ideals in the hearts and minds of the next generation.
California Boys State: View how the program works in the state of California, (click here)
View Photos from last year’s session (click here)