What is Texas Boys State?
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each student becomes a part of the operation of his local, county, and state government.
Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935, when it organized to counter the fascist-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.
The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a similar program for young women called Girls State.
At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities, of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical, with city, county, and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices.
courtesy of www.texasboysstate.com
Reflections
During my week serving at Texas Boys State, I was challenged both as an educator and mentor. With minimal training, I was suddenly responsible for the health and well being of fifty-four, seventeen-year-old boys. Furthermore, these boys are often failing for the first time in their lives. These boys are the best and brightest that their school has to offer, but we have now gathered over 1,100 of these boys to compete for about 100 offices.
Never let them forget that you are only human.
Never forget that you are only human.
The way to teach leadership is to never stop leading.
You can't include everyone if you are not teaching the rest of the group to build a bigger table for everyone.
The boys walk close to 60,000 steps, close to 45 miles, and climb close to 45 flights of stairs: take every step with them so they can see you lead.
Struggles don't know any class, race, socioeconomic status, neighborhood, or anything else. Everyone is carrying something and are just looking for somewhere to put it down.
When you are working with 16 and 17 year old boys, let them know them know, that you know that their struggles are heavy and that you don't have to carry them alone. Never miss a moment to teach them that struggling alone does not make any more of a man. Even if it is just for a week, let them take it off their shoulders.
When it comes to building relationships, break bread with the boys and get to know them.
More often than not, a well thought out question does more good than any punishment/reprimand.
You set the bar that your boys achieve at: set it high, let it rise, and never lower it.
Finally, ask lots of questions. The boys want to tell you about them, they want connection, they want to be accepted; however, they will never tell you that.