As a high school counselor, you have the vital job of identifying and nominating the most qualified students to attend Missouri Boys State. It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the most influential and unique experiences that participants will ever experience. However, it is important that those whom you nominate will be dedicated to the program and follow through with their commitment to attend the session for the entire week should they be accepted to our program.

Only students with outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service to their schools and communities should be considered for Boys State.

Recommended Nomination Process:

• Form a committee of administrators, counselors, teachers, and former Boys State citizens.
  

• Review the qualifications and selection process which are outlined in the enclosed Boys State booklet, A Week to Shape a Lifetime.
  

• Seek interested students by broadcasting during school announcements and/or placing information in the school bulletin or newspaper. Review lists of student leaders (i.e., honor society, student council, class officers, clubs, athletic teams, JROTC, community organizations – 4-H, Boy Scouts) to identify potential candidates.
  

• Consider all eligible young men in the current junior class who meet the Boys State criteria.
  

• Prepare a list of candidates and seek their interest and commitment to participate in the program. Each applicant must commit to attending the Boys State program in its entirety. No late arrivals or early departures will be allowed. We take no-shows and cancellations very seriously.
  

• Share the Boys State booklet, A Week to Shape a Lifetime, with potential candidates and/or direct them to the Boys State website (www.moboysstate.org) for more information.
  

• Schedule and hold an informational presentation at your school for eligible candidates conducted by a Missouri Boys State staff member. To schedule a presentation, contact the Missouri Boys State Headquarters.
  

• Select candidates to nominate. Qualified candidates may be ranked for consideration and recommendation by sponsors and the District Chairman. Please do not submit a list of candidates without completed applications.
  

• Select alternates to nominate. Alternates will be contacted if circumstances keep a candidate selected to attend from participating in the program or as additional sponsorships are located. ALWAYS submit alternates.
  

• Have candidates and alternates complete the current Application which may be found in our annual publication "A Week to Shape a Lifetime" or on our website. To expedite the application process, candidates and alternates are encouraged to complete the application online at www.moboysstate.org/registration/. Applications completed online are NOT automatically transmitted to the Missouri Boys State Headquarters for consideration. After completing an application online, the application MUST be printed and signed prior to submission. Applications will not be accepted without the signature of the principal endorsing the participation of the candidates.
  

• Submit completed applications for the candidates and alternates to the local American Legion Post or the Boys State District Chairman. Application deadline to the Boys State District Chairman is April 15, unless otherwise noted. However, applications will be accepted immediately and early submission is encouraged. If you work with a local American Legion Post, please submit your applications so the Post Representative may meet the April 15 deadline to the Boys State District Chairman.
  

• The Boys State District Chairman grants the final authorization in determining which young men participate in the program. To ascertain the District in which your high school is located, please consult the list of Missouri Boys State District Chairmen.

PLEASE DO NOT ANNOUNCE OR PUBLISH THE LIST OF CANDIDATES AND ALTERNATES UNTIL IT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOYS STATE DISTRICT CHAIRMAN AND CONFIRMED BY THE MISSOURI BOYS STATE HEADQUARTERS. YOU MAY VERIFY ACCEPTANCE BY CONTACTING THE MISSOURI BOYS STATE HEADQUARTERS OR ON THIS WEBSITE

Sponsorship Information – Program Fee

• A sponsorship covers the $350 program fee (plus transportation in districts providing a bus).
  

• Sponsorship of Boys State participants must be undertaken by The American Legion Post or another civic, service, or fraternal organization or business in your community. Sponsorships may also be funded by the school, PTO/PTA, or student organization. INDIVIDUAL OR PARENTAL SPONSORSHIP IS NOT PERMITTED. The candidate and the parent/guardian are prohibited from personally paying any portion of the $350 program fee or transportation fee and are not required to make any deposit or financial guarantee prior to being accepted to Missouri Boys State. 

• Most high schools have established lines of communication with their local American Legion Post or other qualified sponsoring organizations. If not, we urge you to contact the local American Legion Post or Missouri Boys State Headquarters for more information about sponsorships. 

• If you do not have sponsorships for your students, please let us know. We are ready to assist in finding qualified sponsors for your students. Please contact the Missouri Boys State Headquarters or your Boys State District Chairman.
  

For more information, please see our Registration Area.