th
Orientation Presentation
#BBS2015
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Boys State program history and purpose
Sponsorship & selection process
Overview of Badger Boys State
Reasons to attend
Participant information
Parent information
FAQ
Badger Boys State, Inc. badgerboysstate.com
© Updated 2/2015

Organized by the American Legion to counter the Fascist inspired
Young Pioneer Camps.
1935: Illinois holds the first Boys State program.
Each state’s American Legion Department organizes a Boys State program. Hawaii is the only state without a program.
There is a similar Girls State program sponsored by the American
Legion Auxiliary.
The American Legion remains committed to our nation’s young men and women being knowledgeable about, and exposed to, the rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities of American citizenship.
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First session in 1939 at St.
John's Military Academy
Moved to Ripon in 1941
One of the largest of the Boys
State programs with approx. 885 participants annually
Counselors and staff are all volunteers and Boys State participants
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Scott Walker,
Wisconsin Governor
Scott McCallum,
Wisconsin Governor
Martin J. Schreiber,
Wisconsin Governor
James Santelle
US Attorney
Bill Clinton
AR Boys State
Tom Brokaw
SD Boys State
Daniel J. Travanti,
Actor (Hill Street Blues)
Al Jarreau,
Jazz singer, 7 Grammy’s
Steven Kagen, MD
US Congressman
Tom Petri
US Congressman
Michael Jordan
NC Boys State
Neil Armstrong
OH Boys State
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Badger Boys State (BBS) is an eight day experience which operates as a 51 st state.
The program brings together the best young men from throughout Wisconsin to create a hands-on, learn-by-doing environment.
The program’s educational philosophy is centered on having students experience the democratic process via the creation of a government from local municipalities up through the state level.
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Badger Boys State can be an opportunity of a lifetime with opportunities for learning and building friendships.
Badger Boys State creates a learning, growing, maturing environment built around citizen interaction, patriotism, and realizing the value of United States citizenship.
Badger Boys State is not:
– A sports camp. Sports are played, but are not the focus.
– Vacation from a job, school, or parents.
– A week of passive interactions with your peers. The program is as active, rewarding, and valuable as you choose to make it.
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All citizens are sponsored by a local organization such as a Legion Post, Lion’s Club, Optimists, or others.
Local sponsors work with local schools to identify qualified students:
 WI students who just finished their junior year with their senior year remaining
 Good students, generally in the top
1/3 of their class
 Well adjusted with leadership qualities
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Badger Boys State is a valuable experience offered only to a limited number of students. A few reasons to attend include:
• Only the best WI students participate in this hands-on program, limited only by your imagination
• Over 63,000 students have attended which means not only will you make lifelong friends while attending, but also become part of the highly successful Alumni group
• Participation is favorable as part of resumes, scholarship applications, employment
• Become eligible for special scholarships through The
American Legion and Ripon College
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Ripon College Scholarship: $4,000 per year if you attend BBS or BGS and attend Ripon College
Samsung Scholarship: $1,000-$20,000 Scholarship
– Due at Badger Boys State (Essay)
Keith Kreul Scholarship: $500 Scholarship (BBS Selection)
Schneider-Emmanuel American Legion Scholarship: $1,000 Scholarship
(Application)
American Legion Legacy Scholarship: $26,000 Scholarship
– For students with parents who were killed in combat
Oratorical, Eagle Scout, and American Legion Baseball Scholarships
– BBS will strengthen those applications!
To find out more, go to www.wilegion.org
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Don’t forget your registration card!
– It has two sides, fill both of them out!
Parents, please make sure you sign the card as well!
Sign up to be a part of the Color Guard, Chorus, or Band
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Students arrive in Ripon and check-in whereby they become “citizens” of Badger
Boys State. They are assigned a “City” in which they will reside and begin the process of forming the Badger Boys State government.
The first day is primarily for citizens to acclimate to their new city, meet their fellow citizens and counselors.
Citizens also begin the process of organizing the two party political system of
Badger Boys State.
Band, choir, and color guard begin rehearsals
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Religious services or ethics discussion
Candidates for city offices are selected after caucuses and they begin campaigning
Daily paper, Badger Bugle Citizen begins distribution
The afternoon has recreation time while the evening is used for county caucuses.
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Schools of Instruction begin and last through Friday
Focus is on city government with city elections.
Newly elected officials begin running their cities as new laws or ordinances are passed with the aide of law enforcement.
The evening consists of a Mock Trial that is facilitated by the counseling staff and capped off with campaigning for county office.
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Badger Boys State provides a variety of opportunities for in-depth interactive discussions on civic topics. These are known at BBS as “Schools of Instruction” and cover such topics as law, peace officers, lobbying, leadership, public speaking, finance, journalism, among others.
The “schools” also prepare citizens to run for such positions as law enforcement or to become judges in their county.
County elections are also conducted on Day
4 followed by the newly elected county officials starting to fully function.
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State office level position require the nomination and election by your party. Day
5 focuses on the primary election. The evening prior, candidates addressed the caucus outlining the candidates positions.
Daily activities continue with municipal and county government, judicial cases, and athletic competitions (counties compete).
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The general election for state offices takes place on Day 6 (Thursday).
The evening assembly is frequently attended by several state dignitaries and parents as the newly elected state officials are sworn into office.
Citizens are allowed 2 guests to attend the
Thursday evening assembly. Space is available on first-come first-serve basis.
The BBS 2014 Governor is Anthony
Mensah seen here being sworn into office by Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice,
Honorable Ann Walsh Bradley.
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On this day, all levels of the Badger Boys
State government are functioning.
In addition to city and county government operations, the Governor makes his gubernatorial appointments, Senate and
Assembly debate and pass laws, Supreme
Court hears cases.
Badger Boys State “Week in Review,” and audiovideo presentation of the week’s activities takes place at the evening assembly. Final assembly and Boys Nation
Senators are announced.
Tribute to Veterans program in the evening.
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Citizens perform their last duties as the mayor, county executive, sheriff, city clerk, or governor at BBS as they prepare to leave.
Final reports from state officials with a farewell from The American Legion.
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“The program has changed my life in more ways than one. The leadership qualities, lifelong friendships and love for country and state.”
“I had an excellent week here at Badger Boys State. My confidence in myself, my leadership, and public speaking skills have soared this week while being mayor. This is an excellent program and I hope that my kids will someday attend. Thanks.”
“This has been one of the best weeks of my life. To all the counselors, volunteer staff and The American Legion, thank you!”
To listen to citizens describe their experience visit: youtube.com/badgerboysstate
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Just as the Boys State programs provide young men the chance to experience state level government, the American Legion Boys
Nation program provides similar experience at the federal level.
Each Boys State program selects two exceptional young men from their program as Boys Nation Senators.
Boys Nation takes place during July in Washington, D.C. where participants generally have the opportunity to meet the President.
Boys Nation Senators are shown here as they lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington National
Cemetery.
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In addition to learning more about the United States form of representative democracy, there are many other ways to ensure your Badger Boys State experience is memorable, including;
Badger Bugle Citizen, the daily newspaper, utilizes citizens to serve as reporters, commentators, and artists.
Band and Choir both perform at BBS. Bring your instruments! Percussionists should bring their sticks and snare drum.
Color Guard: The color guard (honor guard) posts the flags (colors) at each evening assembly.
Athletics: Include soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, flag football, softball, tennis, weight lifting, swimming, and ultimate frisbee.
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June 13 th 1:30PM to June 20 th 11:00AM, Ripon College in Ripon, WI
Students should plan on attending the entire session as early departures require approval from BBS prior to the session.
Students may drive to BBS but will not have use of their vehicle during the session. BBS operates a closed campus for safety.
In case of injuries or illness, BBS has a physician visit the campus
Monday through Friday. A local hospital is available in Ripon, WI.
Family and friends are welcome to attend evening assemblies. The
Thursday evening inaugural program is often the most popular evening to attend. Check badgerboysstate.com for details.
Badger Boys State, Inc. badgerboysstate.com
© Updated 2/2015

Alarm clock, pillow, sheets (twin size), blankets or a sleeping bag.
Casual clothing, such as shorts, t-shirts, blue-jeans, active footwear/shoes. Please bring at least one pair of long pants for pictures. Rain gear may be helpful.
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, razor, shaving cream, bath towel, contact lens supplies, sun block, medications, insect repellent, etc.
Box fan since most areas of the college are not air-conditioned.
Softball glove, tennis racket, or other sports equipment if you plan to participate in sports. However, cleated shoes are not allowed.
Mobile phone is encouraged, but not required.
Some spending money for discretionary items. Meals and supplies are included. These items for purchase include snacks, city/activity pictures, book store items, shirts/shorts/caps, etc.
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Television, DVD player, or video game consoles of any type.
Excessive amounts of money or expensive valuables.
Computer. Personal computers are of no benefit while at BBS.
Public computers are available in the library for e-mail, etc.
Campaign materials. Materials used for campaigning are closely monitored to ensure fairness. Materials from outside BBS are not allowed and will result in election disqualification.
Do not bring illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol, firearms, fireworks, knives, or weapons of any kind.
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What type of clothing do I need to bring?
– The attire for the week is casual. Most students bring sports clothing and other summer attire. It is recommended to bring some slacks or pants in case the weather is cooler. There is no requirement for any dress clothing, as your Boys
State tshirt that is issued to you is your “formal wear.”
What should I expect of the dorms?
– The college dormitory buildings are typical of many colleges and many have recently been remodeled. The dorms are cleaned prior to BBS. The bathrooms are configured with individual shower stalls. College students that are on campus during that week are working for the College and are in separate areas than the
BBS citizens.
Can I leave campus while at Badger Boys State?
– No. Once the session begins on Saturday, we operate as a closed campus. We require that students remain on campus until the end of the session the following
Saturday. If there is a need for a student to leave campus for any reason, it will need to be approved by the Director.
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May parents visit campus during the session?
– Parents are welcome to attend any evening assembly. The most popular assembly is the Thursday night Inaugural Ceremony. Due to space, students are allowed 2 guests at the Thursday Inaugural Ceremony. Friday evening is also popular as citizens participate in the Tribute to Veterans ceremony.
May I leave the session early or arrive late?
– If there is a need for you to arrive late or leave early from the session, please contact the Director of BBS. Prior approval is required and will be reviewed on an individual case basis. If you are arriving late, please have your parents contact the BBS Secretary or Director as early as possible prior to the session.
How much money should I bring?
– This is up to the discretion of the student and their parents. Vending machines are available for snacks. An 8x10 photo of each city is available for sale for ~$10.
The online photo access is ~$15. The Ripon College book store sells clothing and snacks. BBS retail store sells BBS t-shirts, shorts, and other items.
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badgerboysstate.com
The goal of the Badger Boys State website is to not only help people to learn more about Badger Boys State but also to serve as a resource for parents during the session.
Session Progress: This area of the site is updated each morning to reflect activities of the previous day.
Election Results: Winners are posted immediately after the elections.
General information such as the schedule, emergency contact information, driving directions, and the mailing address are also posted.
Picture Access: This serves as the scrapbook for the week with a large number of pictures. Access to this part of the website can be purchased at
BBS or through the website for $15.
Badger Boys State, Inc. badgerboysstate.com
© Updated 2/2015

Badger Boys State Office prior to June 11 th :
– (608) 745-1090 or info@badgerboysstate.com
Orientation questions:
– orientation@badgerboysstate.com
Additional general program information:
– badgerboysstate.com
Fred Berns, Director
– (715) 533-0103 or badgerberns@triwest.net
Emergency Phone Numbers During Badger Boys State
– 8:00am-5:00pm: (920) 876-6000
– After 5:00pm: (920) 876-6002
Badger Boys State, Inc. badgerboysstate.com
© Updated 2/2015