Build a City. Run a State. Lead the Future.
At Evergreen Boys & Girls State, you do more than sit in class – you run the show yourself. Spend one week building a mock government from the ground up and come home with newfound confidence, real leadership skills, and friends for life.
Feel Like School Isn’t Really Teaching You How to Lead?
You’ve sat through civics classes, but still feel clueless about how government works in the real world. Maybe you’re hesitant to speak up because you have “very little public speaking experience” and haven’t had a chance to lead anything beyond a class project.
You know “now more than ever, students need to know how government works,” yet textbooks and lectures just aren’t cutting it. Meanwhile, you see the same few “leaders” at school always taking charge, and you’re left wondering if you’ll ever get a real chance to prove what you can do.
One Week of Living Government – A Lifetime of Leadership
Evergreen Boys & Girls State is not a lecture or an ordinary camp – it’s a hands-on leadership adventure where you get to take the reins. Imagine a week where you and other ambitious juniors from across Washington literally create and run your own city, county, and state. You’ll file for elections and campaign for office, form political parties and build a platform of ideas, and even draft and pass laws to tackle realistic community problems.
With our team of dedicated mentors (civic leaders, educators, and veterans) to guide you, you’ll learn by doing – actually living democracy every day from morning reveille to lights-out.
This isn’t some stuffy school exercise or pretend student council. It’s fast-paced, real, and eye-opening. One morning, you might be mayor of your city; by afternoon, you’re debating planks for your political party’s platform. Along the way, you’ll gain a first-hand understanding of how decisions are made and discover your own leadership style under pressure. And yes – it’s as exciting and fun as it sounds. You’ll bond with 100+ new friends who are just as motivated as you are (finally, “everyone there was like me” – no one thinks you’re “weird” for caring about this stuff!). By the end of the week, you won’t just have head knowledge – you’ll have lived it, and that “truly changes the way you view civic responsibility and leadership.”
Benefits That Last Long After Boys & Girls State
Lead with Confidence from Now On
Step out of your comfort zone and crush your fear of public speaking. After giving speeches, campaigning, and making real decisions as a mock official, you’ll return to school with unshakeable confidence. (Many attendees say this was “one of the most valuable experiences of my high school years,” because it built a boldness they never knew they had.)
Real-World Civic Know-How
No textbook can match actually running a government. By working through real legislative challenges and crises, you’ll understand how cities and states really function (knowledge even many adults wish they had). It’s an eye-opening crash course in teamwork, problem-solving, and civic responsibility that will stick with you for life. When something big happens in your community or nation, you won’t be the kid shrugging – you’ll be the one who gets it and knows how to get involved.
Stand Out for College & Beyond
Evergreen Boys & Girls State doesn’t just give you great memories – it opens doors. Colleges and scholarship committees highly respect this achievement; yes, it “looks awesome on college applications,” because it shows you’re a motivated, capable leader. Plus, our program offers several college scholarships exclusive to Boys & Girls State alumni. More importantly, you’ll leave with a network of mentors and friends across Washington. Whether you’re interviewing for college or planning your career, you’ll have an inspiring story and leadership experience that sets you apart from the crowd.
What Participants & Parents Are Saying
Check out the feedback from graduates and their parents!
Ready to Experience This For Yourself?
Don’t miss your chance to join this life-changing week of learning and leading. Spaces are limited each year, and students who attend always say, “I’m so glad I did this.”
Evergreen Boys & Girls State
June 21-27, 2026
Warm Beach Conference Center
Stanwood, WA
Got Questions? We've got answers!
Evergreen Boys & Girls State is conducted each year at the Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center in Stanwood, Washington. The next session will be held the week of June 21st – 27th, 2026.
Any high school junior (typically a 16-17 year old finishing 11th grade) can attend. You don’t need to be class president or have any special title – just the passion to learn and lead. Some delegates are nominated by a teacher, counselor, or local American Legion post, but you can also apply directly. If you’re a junior ready to make a difference, you’re exactly who we want at Evergreen Boys & Girls State!
Absolutely! No prior political experience is required. Many participants start out shy, reserved, or unsure of their interests. By the end of the week, they’re the ones saying it was “so much fun” and that they discovered confidence they didn’t know they had. There’s no partisan agenda here – it’s about learning how things work and finding your own leadership style. Even if you’ve never run for anything before, you’ll get plenty of guidance. You’ll be shocked at how much you grow in an environment where everyone wants you to succeed.
You can easily begin your registration process online by completing our application form. Simply head to the ‘Apply’ section on our website and fill out your details. Once your application is screened, we will help locate a sponsor (if financial support is needed) and guide you thru the registration process.
The week-long program (including meals and housing) is valued at $600. Upon request, local American Legion Posts will sponsor a student by paying $300 to help defray the cost of attending.
We’re committed to allowing every qualified student to participate regardless of family finances – if you need assistance, just let us know. Generous financial aid is available up to the full $600 cost to ensure everyone has the chance to experience Evergreen Boys & Girls State. Thanks to our sponsors, cost is not a barrier.
Absolutely! We encourage participants to bring friends who are also interested in learning and growing as leaders. The more, the merrier!
Beginning with our 2026 session, American Legion Evergreen Boys & Girls State, formerly American Legion Evergreen Boys State, is transitioning to a fully inclusive, Co-Ed Program, delivering a relevant and relatable experience that meets the needs of today’s youth.
ALA Evergreen Girls State is an entirely separate program conducted by a different organization and is not affiliated with American Legion Evergreen Boys & Girls State.
Need more info?
If you have any other questions, just reach out. We’re here to help!