Palmetto Boys State
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The American Legion's Boys State program is an involved summer camp that allows young men to actively learn more about the American governmental system.
The young men are called citizens during the week, which is usually held during the second or third week of June every year. Citizens are divided into mock "cities" during the week. Each city is named for South Carolina state rivers and multiple cities compose "counties" which are named after prominent South Carolinians. To teach how partisan politics work, two political parties are formed for the boys. These political parties compose party platforms and debate current issues. Citizens will also campaign and/or elect city, county, and state officers from each party. The participating young men will have an opportunity to vote for mock elected offices. For each office, students will prepare speeches, therefore working on public speaking and confidence building.
Competition is a vital part of Palmetto Boys State. Primarily, cities compete for awards in spirit. This involves many chants, cheers, and comradery. Awards are also given to cities for college bowl trivia, athletics, and several other events. There is also a media school for citizens to participate in. This school specialized in producing many videos throughout the week, nightly live news casts, and a daily newspaper. Boys can take part the Boys State Band, a law school which conducts mock trials, and a criminal justice academy.[1]
[edit] Location
2011 marks the first year that Palmetto Boys State will be held at Anderson University (South Carolina).[2] Palmetto Boys State was first held in a small school by Columbia, SC's airport. Palmetto Boys State was soon moved to the University of South Carolina. In the 1960s, the program moved to another South Carolina institution: The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. Palmetto Boys State found a home here and stayed until 1990. The next host for PBS was Wofford College in Spartanburg and the program stayed there through 1998. In 1999, the program returned to the Citadel but moved back the University of South Carolina in 2004.[3]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Palmetto Boys State website
- Boys and Girls State website
- Boys State website
- Boys State Directory
- Famous Boys' State Alumni
- Anderson University website
