Missouri Boys State

Missouri Boys State is an 8-day youth program held each June to teach Missouri high school students leadership and the workings of government.[3] 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.[4] 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[5] campus. During the week, the citizens of MBS create a fully functioning mock government [6] 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).

Missouri Boys State
AbbreviationMBS
FormationMarch 1938
TypeNot-For-Profit Corporation
Legal statusActive
Purpose"To promote leadership, citizenship and the value of the individual voice and vote."
HeadquartersWarrensburg, MO
Location
Region served
Missouri
Membership
60,000+
Official language
English
Director
Brad Lear [2]
Parent organization
American Legion
AffiliationsAmerican Legion Department of Missouri
Staff
2
Volunteers
130
Websitehttp://www.moboysstate.org

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.[7]

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
  1. "Missouri Boys State and Girls State moving to Lindenwood | News".
  2. "Missouri Boys State Board of Directors".
  3. "Show Me Progress". 16 June 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  4. "Boys State Eligibility & Dates | the American Legion".
  5. "Missouri Boys State and Girls State moving to Lindenwood | News".
  6. "Macon youth attends Boys State - Macon, MO - Macon Chronicle Herald". Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  7. "Photo Gallery: Missouri Boys State". Muleskinner. 2012-06-21. Archived from the original on 2012-06-26. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
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