What should I bring with me to Missouri Boys State?
First and foremost, bring a positive attitude, a solid work ethic and an open mind. Boys State is NOT a recreational camp, so be ready to work and have fun.

Regarding supplies, you will need to bring the following:

• Enough casual clothing to last for eight days. The weather is hot, so cool clothing is recommended.
• A coat and tie (or suit) for religious services and special occasions during the week.
• Toiletries (including soap, shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste and deodorant, etc.)
• A couple of bath towels and washcloths (bed linens and pillows are provided).
• Notepaper, pens, pencils and a 3 ring binder are recommended.
• The packet of material mailed to you prior to the week of Boys State that includes your citizen's schedule and Boys State Manual.
• Your Medical Form (notarized if possible) containing your doctor's signature certifying your physical fitness.
• Enough spending money for a few souvenirs, snacks and soft drinks. About $40 - $60 will cover the essentials.
• Your Trumpet or Bugle if you play them. Boys State needs Buglers to play Reveille and Taps each day.
• Your baseball glove, tennis racket, athletic shoes and swimming trunks for participating in the sports program. *These items are not required but will come in handy if you plan to participate in softball, tennis or swimming competitions.
• A small FM radio to listen to the Boys State radio newscasts. Large boom boxes are overkill for this purpose.

 

What should I leave at home?
There are a few things that you should not bring to Boys State. Things to avoid bringing:

What should I expect?
You should expect a fast-paced, high-energy educational program designed to test your leadership, citizenship and scholastic abilities. You should expect to compete with the best and brightest high school students in the state of Missouri. You should expect to push yourself like never before. You should expect to commit yourself to the program for the entire week and not allow yourself to be distracted by outside influences. And finally, you should expect to leave the program a better person than you were before you came.

Can I drive my car to the program?
Yes! You are allowed to drive your own vehicle to Missouri Boys State. There is even a place for you to park it. But, when you check in with your city, we are going to ask you for your keys. This keeps you from having the urge to go cruising around Warrensburg. Our insurance does not cover citizens operating motor vehicles during the week of Boys State. At the end of the week, your car will be in the same exact spot as you left it. Same mileage and all!

Can I bring my laptop computer, stereo system, or other electronic equipment?
No. There is no need for you to bring most of these things with you to Boys State. If you would like to bring a small radio, that is allowed, but Missouri Boys State cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. Because of the shear size of the program and the number of citizens, we cannot keep track of expensive and valuable belongings for nearly 1,000 students. As a special precaution, items of value can be locked up with your counselor, but please do not bring items that have great financial value. Items such as computers, PDAs, pagers, stereo systems and CD Players are not needed at the program so please leave them at home.

 

Can I bring my cell phone?
Citizens will be permitted to use their cell phones only at designated times and places. MBS cannot be responsible for the security of a Citizen's cell phone or its use. MBS is sensitive to the need and desire for citizens to communicate with their families and friends. Nevertheless, failure to follow MBS guidelines regarding the use of cell phones may result in the loss of this privilege.

 

What should I do to prepare for the program?
Get plenty of rest! Boys State is a fast-paced program. Also, read the citizen's manual mailed to you prior to the Boys State program. The more you know about the program the better you will fare. The manual contains all the pertinent information about Missouri Boys State. You may also want to brush up on your public speaking skills - you will need them.

Can I bring a musical instrument?

If you are interested in participating in the bugle corps you are welcome to bring your trumpet or bugle. In the past, saxophones, clarinets, and trombones have represented the bugle corps as well. Horns are needed to sound Reveille and Taps at the beginning and end of each day at Boys State.

How much money should I bring?
We recommend you bring about $40 - $60. The only item we ask that you purchase is a Boys State T-shirt for the group and city photos taken on Thursday. It can be purchased from the MBS Store for around $10. The store also has candy, soda, bottled water, bath items, and other Boys State memorabilia. (If you need an item that you cannot live with out and it can't be found at the MBS Store, talk with your counselor. These are for necessities only!)

When you go through registration, you have the opportunity to deposit your money into the Charles Mickey Bank for safe keeping. You will be given a bankbook to keep track of your deposits and withdrawals. The bank is conveniently located in the MBS Store.

Can I bring my own campaign materials?
No. When you, the Citizens, arrive at Missouri Boys State, you are all on a level playing field. You will have access to all of the things you will need to produce your campaign materials while at the program.

What offices can I run for?
There are elected offices on three levels - city wide, county wide and statewide. You can run for any office you want whether it be Mayor of your city, or Governor of the whole state. All it takes is determination and the will to succeed. If you do not win an election, run for another office. Boys State runs on the leadership of its elected officials.

 

What time do I have to arrive at Boys State?

Registration begins promptly at 1 p.m. on Saturday. If you are riding one of the buses this is the approximate time of your arrival. If you decide to drive yourself or someone is dropping you off, please get here around this time. Registration ends at 3:00 p.m. All participants MUST be registered NO LATER THAN 6:00 p.m. NO LATE ARRIVALS WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE PROGRAM. We recommend you try to make it by 3:00pm so you can participate in your first City Meeting. It is to your advantage to be at the program on time for the first City Meeting. If you have any questions about registration, please contact Missouri Boys State Headquarters.

What if I arrive late?
Please be at the program before 3:00pm on Saturday. If you cannot arrive by this time, you MUST be there by 6:00pm. NO LATE ARRIVALS WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE PROGRAM. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Do I have to stay all week?
Yes! Gaining the best experience possible at Missouri Boys State is dependent on your full participation during the whole course of the program. You have been selected over many others at your high school to attend this program. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, leaving early not only wastes your sponsor's money, but also keeps another student from the experience of a lifetime. Citizens may not leave the program prior to 8 a.m. on the final Saturday of the program. Those who do not stay the entire week will lose eligibility for scholarship money and college credit. Students should commit to staying the entire week.

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Can my best friend be my roommate?
No. We want you to have the experience of meeting new people. We try to divide up the students who come from the same high school into different cities. The chances of you seeing one of your friends from home are very slim due to the shear number of citizens at Missouri Boys State.

Are there phones so I can call home?
There are a few pay phones available for you to use. Every effort will be made for you to have the opportunity to call home, but time is limited. You will be able to call home periodically, but should not expect to do so every night. If parents or relatives need to contact a citizen, you can do so by calling Boys State HQ at (660) 543-4348 (This number is only in service during the week of Boys State).

Can I have visitors while I'm at Missouri Boys State?
Yes. We welcome parents and other family members to come and see the program. We do however, ask them to 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. 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.

What are the lodging arrangements?
You will stay in the university dorms for the entire week. You will have at least one and possibly two roommates. Linens will be provided, except for washcloths and towels. We suggest you bring a couple of towels because it is a long week and there are no laundry facilities available.

What kind of sporting activities are available?
Beginning on Monday of the program, there will be an athletic period each afternoon before the evening meal. Every citizen is required to participate in a variety of sporting events.

Those events include: basketball, softball, volleyball, badminton, swimming, tennis, horseshoes, bowling, and track & field and other sports as facilities are available.

Due to space limitations, there is no soccer or football played at Missouri Boys state. Secondly, we ask that you do not participate in these or any other athletic activities outside of athletic period. If you have a favorite tennis racket or softball glove, you are welcome to bring it.