Boys State: Rising male high school seniors in public, private and homeschool institutions with at least one (1) semester to complete before graduating high school are eligible to apply.

Girls State: Rising female high school seniors in public, private and homeschool institutions with at least one (1) semester to complete before graduating high school are eligible to apply.

Non-eligible students are those who are not high school juniors at the time of application, nor those who have or are planning to attend another Boys or Girls State program.

Maryland Boys and Girls State are fully funded by The American Legion, Department of Maryland and sponsoring American Legion Posts throughout our state. There is no cost to the student or his or her family to attend our programs.

No. We do not recruit students to join the military or apply to the military academies.

While attendance to Maryland Boys and Girls State is a favorable addition to military academy applications, the experience is also a positive on applications to higher institutions of all kinds, as well as in scholarship and financial aid asks.

Participating students under the age of 17 are housed in college dormitories, with mostly two (2) sleeping to a room. Students 18 years of age are housed on different floors or in different buildings on campus.

Maryland Boys State is held at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland Girls State is held at Salisbury University in Salisbury.

Accepted students of each program are supplied a packing list of items to bring.

Boys State: We do not permit certain items at our program, including phones, smartphones and smartwatches. For their safety, we also discourage students driving themselves to/from our program due to the exhaustion that the week will bring.

Boys State: A national program of The American Legion that instills knowledge in democracy at the local and state levels. The Maryland Boys State program in particular teaches the importance and positive impact that 100% voter turnout and 0% unemployment has on a modern society.

Girls State: A premier leadership program of the American Legion Auxiliary for young ladies across our state who share a common drive to learn, grow and become future leaders. 

Boys State: Students who have attended Maryland Boys State have gained a greater sense of purpose, appreciation for their country and way of life, as well as methods to becoming an informed and active voter.

Girls State: Students who have attended Maryland Girls State will gain a hands-on understanding of the structure and functions of government, as well as opportunities to run for and hold elected offices that will develop invaluable leadership skills.

All eligible students are invited to apply to Maryland Boys and Girls State. Those likely to enjoy the experience most are students interested in government, civics and politics, as well as those looking to further and/or supplement their education. 

Formal subjects covered at our programs include U.S. history, civics and government (particularly the functions of government specific to Maryland and its jurisdictions), as well as the legislative process and Robert's Rules of Order. Life skills subjects include respect, discipline, timeliness and cleanliness, among many others.

Eligible students for either program may submit an application online from Nov. 15–May 1. Accepted students will typically receive confirmation within 2-3 weeks.

Boys State: Our program is unique in a variety of ways. First and foremost, a vast majority of our staff have served our country and provide students with a breadth of real-world knowledge and experience. Second, Maryland Boys State exposes students to life skills lessons that are seldom taught in school. Lastly, our program is free to students, unlike other youth programs that are for-profit.

Girls State: Similar to Boys State, Maryland Girls State exposes students to life skills lessons and is also free to students.

Supporting Maryland Boys and Girls State has a direct, positive impact on the students of today and the leaders and members of our democratic government tomorrow — whether they become elected officials, lawyers, c-suite executives, small business owners, members of our armed forces, or any and everything in between — their experience at our programs will have a lasting impact.

One of our leading sources of applications to Maryland Boys and Girls State is the advertising and community outreach efforts of our local Posts. We need your help to continue the operation of one of the last Boys State programs in the country to be fully conducted by American veterans, as well as one of few Girls State programs that remains under the direction of American Legion Auxiliary members.

A Post's contribution to Maryland Boys and/or Girls State is recognized directly and collectively. Directly, a Post's sponsorship is disclosed to both staff and students on their identification meal cards for the week. Collectively, contributions are recognized each year via the continued operation of these programs.

A Post can support Maryland Boys and Girls State by:

• Advertising the programs to members and the local community
• Sponsoring local students who are attending
• Allocating donation funds to our programs
• Encouraging Post and/or Auxiliary officers and members to apply to volunteer