Palmetto Boys State
Encyclopedia
The American Legion
's Boys State program is an involved summer camp that allows young men to actively learn more about the American
governmental system.
The young men are called citizens during the week, which is usually held during the second or third week of June every year. Citizens are divided into mock "cities" during the week. Each city is named for South Carolina
state rivers and multiple cities compose "counties" which are named after prominent South Carolinians. To teach how partisan politics work, two political parties are formed for the boys. These political parties compose party platforms and debate current issues. Citizens will also campaign and/or elect city, county, and state officers from each party. The participating young men will have an opportunity to vote for mock elected offices. For each office, students will prepare speeches, therefore working on public speaking and confidence building.
Competition is a vital part of Palmetto Boys State. Primarily, cities compete for awards in spirit. This involves many chants, cheers, and comradery. Awards are also given to cities for college bowl trivia, athletics, and several other events. There is also a media school for citizens to participate in. This school specialized in producing many videos throughout the week, nightly live news casts, and a daily newspaper. Boys can take part the Boys State Band, a law school which conducts mock trials, and a criminal justice academy.
. Palmetto Boys State was first held in a small school by Columbia, SC's airport. Palmetto Boys State was soon moved to the University of South Carolina
. In the 1960s, the program moved to another South Carolina institution: The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina
. Palmetto Boys State found a home here and stayed until 1990. The next host for PBS was Wofford College
in Spartanburg and the program stayed there through 1998. In 1999, the program returned to the Citadel but moved back the University of South Carolina in 2004.
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
's Boys State program is an involved summer camp that allows young men to actively learn more about the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
governmental system.
The young men are called citizens during the week, which is usually held during the second or third week of June every year. Citizens are divided into mock "cities" during the week. Each city is named for South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
state rivers and multiple cities compose "counties" which are named after prominent South Carolinians. To teach how partisan politics work, two political parties are formed for the boys. These political parties compose party platforms and debate current issues. Citizens will also campaign and/or elect city, county, and state officers from each party. The participating young men will have an opportunity to vote for mock elected offices. For each office, students will prepare speeches, therefore working on public speaking and confidence building.
Competition is a vital part of Palmetto Boys State. Primarily, cities compete for awards in spirit. This involves many chants, cheers, and comradery. Awards are also given to cities for college bowl trivia, athletics, and several other events. There is also a media school for citizens to participate in. This school specialized in producing many videos throughout the week, nightly live news casts, and a daily newspaper. Boys can take part the Boys State Band, a law school which conducts mock trials, and a criminal justice academy.
Location
2011 marks the first year that Palmetto Boys State will be held at Anderson University (South Carolina)Anderson University (South Carolina)
Anderson University is a private comprehensive university located in Anderson, South Carolina, offering bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in approximately 60 areas of study. Anderson is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and is accredited as a Level V institution by the...
. Palmetto Boys State was first held in a small school by Columbia, SC's airport. Palmetto Boys State was soon moved to the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
. In the 1960s, the program moved to another South Carolina institution: The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. Palmetto Boys State found a home here and stayed until 1990. The next host for PBS was Wofford College
Wofford College
Established in 1854 and related to the United Methodist Church, Wofford College is an independent, Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts college of 1,525 students located in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. The historic campus is recognized as a national arboretum and features “The...
in Spartanburg and the program stayed there through 1998. In 1999, the program returned to the Citadel but moved back the University of South Carolina in 2004.
External links
- Palmetto Boys State website
- Boys and Girls State website
- Boys State website
- Boys State Directory
- Famous Boys' State Alumni
- Anderson University website