American Legion

Boys State is a program of the American Legion developed from the concept that youth should be offered a better perspective of the practical operation of government: that the individual is an integral part and commensurately responsible for the character and success of their government. As such, it is an activity of high educational value, born of a need for youth training in practical citizenship. To elaborate Boys State is easily classified as a leadership action program where qualified male high school juniors take part in a practical government course designed to develop in the young citizen a working knowledge of the structure of government, it is an objective citizenship training program.

The American Legion, Department of Massachusetts sponsors a Student Trooper Program in cooperation with the Massachusetts State Police Academy. The goal is to recruit youths representing all communities and cultural backgrounds and to increase their understanding of the job of police officers. The program is designed to expose young adults to the demands of policy training and to develop better relationships with the police that serve our communities. The program is an intensive one week, residential learning experience for young adults.

Massachusetts Girls State is a program of the American Legion Auxiliary, it is a non partisan civics program aimed at providing students with an intensive week of studying responsible citizenship, government and leadership through through experiential learning. Participants learn the importance of local and state government, how to apply this knowledge to become a participating citizen of their community, the foundation of our government and the importance of supporting our veterans.