Memorandum

For: 2024 Department of Georgia Boys State Delegates

From: Bob Beauchamp, Director

I would like to congratulate you on your selection for the Department of Georgia Boys State Program. You have been invited to be “a voice and not an echo”. Approximately 400 other students from throughout Georgia will join you at Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia.

Arrival time will be 12:00 Noon to 2:00pm on Sunday, June 9, 2024, The American Legion Post sponsoring you should handle your transportation arrangements. The first meeting will be shortly after your arrival. The first meal is at 6 PM, be sure that you have lunch before arrival.

All delegates/citizens must arrive on time and stay until after graduation – no exceptions! Only in an emergency or an issue approved by me will be accepted as justification for early departure.

Graduation date will be June 15, 2024. Please feel free to invite family and friends to graduation.

The American Legion Department of Georgia sponsors Georgia Boys State and we welcome you as a Citizen. This memo will give you important information that you will need before your arrival. Please read each item thoroughly! NOTE: Some of the documents referred to in this memo will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available at http://www.adobe.com. (Some forms may be filled out on-line and saved to your hard drive. To this, you will need version 5.0 or later of Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Department of Georgia Boys State is a mythical 51st state. You will have the opportunity to learn and practice the operations of city, county and state government. Sixteen cities, four counties and two political parties make up the political structure.

During the week you will vote for, and elect officials, at all levels of government. You will also assist in making laws and enforcing them. One of which is the one time imposed State Tax on each citizen of $5.00 – due at registration. As with most taxes, this money is used to purchase materials needed by the State for the citizens of the State (copy paper, campaign materials, etc.)

The Department of Georgia Boys State Citizens Manual is located on our web site at www.dogboysstate.org. You need to be familiar with the Manual.

The American Legion was founded with a strong belief in God and Country. At Department of Georgia Boys State, we salute the Flag of our Nation, say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and have an evening devotional. Citizens are in charge of these activities, and the words LORD and JESUS and other religious references may be used. If you are opposed to these, you may want to decline the invitation to attend Department of Georgia Boys State.

Our Staff is made up of approximately 50 outstanding men and women from throughout the State of Georgia. Most are members of The American Legion Family (The American Legion, The Sons of The American Legion, The American Legion Riders and The American Legion Auxiliary). We are also honored to have support from the Georgia Department of Public Safety (Georgia State Patrol), as well as former Boys State and Boys Nation Citizens. These people are all dedicated to helping the youth of Georgia. You will enjoy working with them.

Athletics occurs for approximately 2 hours each day and we normally play softball, touch football, volleyball and basketball. Cities, counties and political parties compete against each other for bragging rights. Don’t overload yourself with sports equipment but you may want to bring shorts, sports shoes, a jersey and a ball cap. Ball caps are permitted during the athletic period(s) only. They are not permitted for wear any other time.

SAMSUNG SCHOLARSHIP: The SAMSUNG Corporation offers an opportunity for a 10 Thousand Scholarship for Boys State participants. If you are eligible please reply using the link below.

- Go to https://www.legion.org/samsung-scholarship-application click on “Register” and create an account with your own password, then just “log in”.
- Application cannot be submitted until all materials are uploaded, required fields are completed and school information is submitted.
- Applications must be submitted on line NLT the start date of the Georgia Boys State Program: NO EXCEPTIONS!
- Upon submission, student may not change any information

********************IMPORTANT*********************

On the “Request to Attend”:

Provide a name and phone number for an additional emergency contact –in the event your parents/guardian cannot be reached

PHOTO: every citizen is required to have a current photo

Checklist of items you may/will need:

$5.00 STATE TAX
TOILETRIES FOR 1 WEEK
CITIZENS MANUAL
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
SHEET/PILLOW/BLANKET
MEDICATIONS
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS
1 WEEK CLOTHING
CLOTHING FOR SPORTS
TOWELS
3 RING BINDER
ATHLETIC SHOES
REMEMBER SAMSUNG, REQUEST TO ATTEND *PHOTO* AND EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO

Again, congratulations on this high honor. We look forward to having you join us for this busy, but rewarding week. This is truly

“…a week that lasts a lifetime…”