Questions
Answers
What is Missouri
Boys State?
Missouri Boys State is a weeklong
summer program designed to help young men realize their own potential
by participating in one of the most highly acclaimed leadership
programs in the country. More information can be found in the About
Us section of this website.
How much does it cost?
There is no cost to the student or
parent for admission to Missouri Boys State. Missouri Boys State
is funded entirely by Legion Posts, businesses and service organizations.
Each student is sponsored by a local business, Legion Post or service
organization. If you know business or service organization willing
to sponsor a Boys State citizen, please contact
Missouri Boys State Headquarters.
Is my son covered by insurance
in the event of an accident?
Yes. Missouri Boys State carries medical
insurance coverage on all students and staff members participating
in our program. The insurance policy acts as a secondary policy
to any coverage the student carries under his parent's insurance
policy. Should the parent and/or student be uninsured during the
time the student participates in our program, our insurance policy
becomes primary coverage.
Are meals provided?
How often?
The CMSU cafeteria provides
dining facilities for the entire week. We provide three square meals
a day with a variety of menu items during the week. In the event
you do not care for what is being served, peanut butter and jelly
sandwich fixins' are available at every meal. You would be amazed
at the number of people who eat PB&J for breakfast!
What can my son do to prepare
for the program?
Make sure he gets plenty of rest!
Boys State is a fast-paced program. Also, it is important that he
read the citizen's manual mailed to him prior to the Boys State
program. The more he knows about the program the better he will
fare. The manual contains all the pertinent information about Missouri
Boys State. You may also want to encourage him to brush up on his
public speaking skills - he will need them.
What items should be left
at home?
There are a few things that should
not be brought to Boys State. Things to avoid bringing:
- Expensive jewelry, watches
or any keepsake that would present a problem if lost or stolen.
- Electronic equipment such as
laptop computers, cell phones, pagers, PDA's, CD players, stereo
systems are not needed at Boys State.
- Pre-printed campaign materials
and supplies are prohibited.
- Golf clubs, steel cleats, Frisbees,
soccer balls, footballs (including Nerf footballs) and any other
athletic gear that is not part of the scheduled Boys State athletic
program is prohibited.
- Water guns, toy guns and any
other toy items deemed inappropriate by Boys State staff are prohibited.
- Of course, any illegal drugs
or controlled substances are prohibited and will result in an
immediate dismissal from Missouri Boys State. Prescription medication
should be cleared through the medical staff upon registration
at Boys State.
- Missouri state laws prohibit
the use of alcohol and tobacco products by minors. UCM is a smoke
free environment. The use of alcohol or tobacco products by Missouri
Boys State citizens is prohibited. Violation of these rules will
result in immediate dismissal.
- Laser pointers and any other
laser emitting devices are prohibited.
| Who
are the staff members? |
The staff is comprised of members of the American
Legion and past Missouri Boys State citizens who volunteer
a week of their summer. Each staff member is giving back to
the program's participants the same excitement, inspiration
and value, the Boys State program gave them when they were
citizens. These men work hard each year to provide your son
with the best experience possible. |
 |
What are the lodging arrangements?
Participants will stay in the university
dorms for the entire week. They will have at least one and possibly
two roommates. Linens will be provided, except for washcloths and
towels. We suggest they bring a couple of towels because it is a
long week and there are no laundry facilities available.
My son has a medical condition
or a physical disability, can he still participate?
Missouri Boys State strives to make
the program accessible to as many students as possible. If your
son has special needs please contact Missouri
Boys State Headquarters.
What scholarship
opportunities are available?
Each year Missouri Boys State
awards a cash scholarship to the "Citizen of the Week".
All citizens who successfully complete the week of Boys State are
eligible for the Harley Wyatt Scholarship program. Over 20 colleges
and universities participate in the program and provide over $1,000,000
in scholarship money to Boys State citizens. Look for the Harley
Wyatt Scholarship brochure in your registration packet for details
on how to apply with the participating colleges and universities.
You can also find this information in the Scholarship
Area of this website.
Can my son receive college
credit?
Yes. If your son successfully completes
the entire program and meets our academic requirements, he is eligible
for two (2) college credit hours from the University of Central Missouri.
UCM requires a small administrative charge for processing these
credits. These credits will be available during your son's senior
year in high school. - More
Information
Can I come and visit?
Definitely. We welcome parents and
other family members to come and see the program. We do however,
ask that you not interfere with the program...just observe. Contact
with your son will be limited and should not interrupt the flow
of events during the week. If you do decide to come and visit the
program before the final Saturday (Democracy in Action), please
check in at the Headquarters Office.
If I come visit, where can
I stay?
Due to space limitations, we will
not be able to provide accommodations for guests. However, there
are several hotels in the city of Warrensburg that are very convenient
to the UCM campus.
| When
can I pick up my son? |
The session officially ends after the "Democracy
in Action and Final Awards Ceremony" on Saturday morning,
at approximately 10:30 a.m. Parents are cordially invited
to the "Democracy in Action and Final Awards Ceremony" which
begins at 8:00 a.m. No student may leave prior to 8:00 a.m.
on the final Saturday morning. If you pick up your son on
Saturday morning, please be sure to notify the Boys State
District Chairman of your plans. |
 |
We missed
our orientation meeting, what do we do?
If you miss your scheduled orientation
meeting, it might be possible for you to attend a later one nearby.
You can contact the headquarters, toll free at 1-877-DIAL-MBS or
(660) 429-2761, to see if there is one in your area scheduled. Because
these meetings are so important, we recommend that you make every
effort to attend these meetings. If you are completely unable to
do so, contact headquarters and check the Attending
Boys State section of this website to receive the information
that you need.
How many students attend Missouri
Boys State?
There are nearly 1,000 students from
every corner of Missouri in attendance at Missouri Boys State. The
number of students from a high school is based on that high school's
enrollment. Only students who have two semesters of high school
left, have completed the 11th grade and have not previously attended
a Boys State program are eligible to attend Missouri Boys State.
What if my son has to take
the ACT on Saturday?
Every couple of years the beginning
of the session coincides with the ACT testing day. Special arrangements
may be made to take the test at UCM by contacting
Missouri Boys State Headquarters
What if my son has been home-schooled?
There is nothing that excludes a home-schooled
student from attending Missouri Boys State, as long as he meets
the eligibility requirements. Please see the
Registration page in the About Us
section of this website. There you will find eligibility requirements
and the Official Application. If you have any further questions,
you may contact Missouri Boys State Headquarters.
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