Missouri Boys State is an 8-day youth program held each June to teach Missouri high school students leadership and the workings of government. Missouri is one of forty-nine states (all except Hawaii) with such a program for boys and a separate program for girls sponsored by The

American Legion Auxiliary The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is a separate entity from the American Legion that shares the same values. Composed of spouses, mothers, daughters, granddaughters, and sisters of American war veterans. Founded in 1919, the ALA is dedicated to ...

. The Missouri Boys State program hosts approximately 960 students, or citizens, and more than 130 volunteer staff members for 8 days on the

Lindenwood University Lindenwood University is a private university in St. Charles, Missouri. Founded in 1827 by George Champlin Sibley and Mary Easton Sibley as The Lindenwood School for Girls, it is the second-oldest higher-education institution west of the Missis ...

campus. During the week, the citizens of MBS create a fully functioning mock government modeled after the State of Missouri. Citizens are divided into 16 cities, with two cities per county, and into two political parties (Nationalists and Federalists).

History

The concept was originally developed in Illinois in 1934 by Dr. Hays Kennedy and Harold Card, both educators and members of the Illinois American Legion. The Boys State program was designed to promote democracy, and counteract the fascist principles taught to the youth in Germany. The individuals responsible for founding the Missouri Boys State program officially in the Spring of 1938 were: * Jerry F. Duggan (1886 - 1952) * Harry M. Gambrel (1896 - 1962) * Dr. Truman L. Ingle (1894 - 1954) * A. B. Weyer (1889 - 1977)

Cities

* Blair * Boone * Carnahan * Carver * Clark * Crowder * Doniphan * Duggan * Gambrel * Ingle * Kohn * Lewis * Pershing * Richardson * Weyer * Whitfield

References

{{Reflist

External links

Missouri Boys State
website
Missouri Boys State Alumni
website
The American Legion
website
The American Legion Department of Missouri
website American Legion Educational organizations based in the United States Youth organizations based in Missouri Youth organizations established in 1938