American Legion Programs

American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government education for U.S. high school students.  A participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government.  Boys State was founded in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer camps.  The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a separate but similar program for young women called Girls State.

At Boys State, participants learn the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county, and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses, and recreational programs.

Legion posts select high school juniors to attend the program. In most cases, individual expenses are paid by a sponsoring post, a local business, or another community-based organization.

Boys State programs currently exist in all Legion departments in the United States except Hawaii. As separate corporations, 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.

For more information:

Please review eligibility and dates to find a program and contact information in your state.

Oratorical Contest:

The purpose of The American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.

There are many more programs such as...

American Legion Baseball is a national institution, having thrived through a world war, several national tragedies, and times of prosperity as well as great despair.

The league still stands behind the traditional values upon which it was founded in 1925. American Legion Baseball has taught hundreds of thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health, and active citizenship. The program is also a promoter of equality, making teammates out of young athletes regardless of their income levels or social standing. American Legion Baseball has been, and continues to be, a stepping stone to manhood for millions of young men who have gone on to serve their country or community, raise families, or play the sport at the highest level.

Junior Shooting Sports

Youth Cadet Law Enforcement

Click here to view more details about Family and Youth programs.