The high school counselors throughout the state of Wisconsin play a very important role in spreading the word about our program and, often times, are involved in the selection process determining who attends. If you are a school counselor at the high school level, thank you for visiting our site and for your interest in learning more about our program. On this page, we hope you will find not only answers to some questions you may have but also resources you may find useful.
What is Badger Boys State?
Badger Boys State is a premier Wisconsin youth program that creates an environment in which future leaders develop—and put into practice—skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. This is a bold statement—one that we feel is credible.
Each participant of Badger Boys State will complete the program with different experiences, skills, growth, and overall outcome. However, the environment created provides everything necessary to help promote leadership and learning through a framework of hands-on creation of their own mock government among some of the best young men of Wisconsin. Gathering such a diverse and quality group of young men, is by itself, powerful. Add a proven framework, dedicated staff, access to quality presenters and guest contributors from throughout the nation, and the experience is truly like that of no other program or youth leadership conference.
What Badger Boys State is not
The program is operated under the guidance and sponsorship of The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin. However, it is not run as a military unit or operation. The program derives much of its pride and stability from its long history as a Legion program—one of its most cherished youth programs. However, the Badger Boys State program, which started with hints of military routines, is no longer operated in this way. Badger Boys State has matured and grown through its nearly 70-year history and operates more as an executive training retreat than a school program. A few routines, such as meals and meetings, are regimented due to the logistics of servicing nearly 1,000 people efficiently. These are now the exception and the boys are provided more freedoms within the program to interact with each other, the presenters, and the staff.
