AL Boys & ALA Girls State 2026

High School Counselors & Government/History Teachers,

The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary would like to share information about Boys State and Girls State, an exceptional opportunity for high school juniors. Boys and Girls State is a once-in-a-lifetime, weeklong program designed for students entering their senior year. This year’s session will take place June 14–20 and provides participants with firsthand, practical insight into how state government functions. Thousands of Montana students have attended since the program’s founding, and we strongly believe your students will benefit greatly from this experience.

The program is privately funded and presented by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. Students participate in positions at the city, county, and state levels, including running a mock legislature. They draft and submit bills and resolutions, engage in representative government, and elect officials such as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State, among others.  In fact, the 2025 class had 3 drafted bills that Montana Legislators are considering introducing during the 2027 Legislative session. Change happens here.

Participants selected to attend Boys Nation or Girls Nation will travel to Washington, D.C., in July, where they gain leadership experience, valuable life lessons, and a deeper understanding of U.S. government and civic responsibility. This seven-day national program has helped shape thousands of promising futures in public service, as well as careers in government, law, education, media, the military, and many other fields.

We are asking counselors and teachers to help us share this opportunity with students. Our goal is to have 100 boys and 100 girls from high schools across Montana participate in this year’s session. The application process is now open and can be completed online at mtlegion.org under the Programs tab.

The registration code is below.  If you would like more information or wish to refer an interested student who has questions, please contact Duane Cunningham at deptmtadjutant@gmail.com or 406-465-1451.

Very Respectfully –

Duane Cunningham

Program Registrar