1st District – Dr. Dan McClure: Email
2nd District – Jerry Becker: Email
3rd District – Jim Zacharias: Email
4th District – Jake Blitsch: Email
5th District – Don Lane: Email
6th District – Ron Foster: Email
7th District – Brian Ring: Email
8th District – Gary Haverman: Email
9th District – Scott Koedam: Email

The short answer, Boys State is a training program in citizenship and democracy.

The American Legion of Iowa Boys State is a week-long, hands-on experience in the operation of the democratic form of government, the organization of political parties, and the relationship of one to the other in shaping Iowa government. Through the Boys State objective of learning by doing, delegates will learn about city, county, and state government more in one week than they would in a semester of high school civics.

• Candidates must be a resident of the State of Iowa to participate in The American Legion of Iowa Boys State
• A candidate must have completed the 11th Grade (Junior year) and have at least one semester left prior to graduation
• Candidates should have good scholastic ranking
• Candidates should possess qualities of leadership, scholastic achievement, good citizenship, and a willingness to participate
• Candidates shall be citizens of or lawful permanent residents of the United States – Exchange students will not be accepted
• Candidates should demonstrate an interest in United States history, Government, and Civics
• Candidates are required to be in attendance for the entire program
• Candidates must believe in United States citizenship and the ideals of “For God and Country” on which our nation and The American Legion were founded

The next Boys State session can be found at the top of this page.

Since the beginning of The American Legion of Iowa Boys State, the program has taken place on and within the grounds and facilities of Camp Dodge located in Johnston, Iowa. Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center serves as the state headquarters for the Iowa National Guard. Anyone wishing to enter the facility is required to present a valid state identification card (state id, driver’s license, military id, etc.) at the front gate.

Camp Dodge is located at:
7105 NW 70th Ave.
Johnston, Iowa  50131

Yes, Boys State is free to you. However, you should be aware that your local American Legion Post and/or other organizations/donors in your commuity is paying your fee to attend. Please be sure to recognize their generosity. They see something in you that they believe is worth investing their limited resources and time.

If you are unable to attend due to a conflict, please notify your sponsoring post first. They may be able to find someone else to fill your reservation. Any cancellation made after April 1 prior to Boys State forfeits your reservation and your local post cannot request a refund for their money.

Once you have registered as a delegate for the Boys State program, an official handbook and separate packing list will be provided to you and your primary contact outlining details for the program including what to bring. You can also download the Boy State Handbook and Packing List.

Your sponsoring American Legion Post and/or District should help you with transportation arrangements. Check with your local American Legion first since they are your sponsors for instructions to transportation arrangements. The American Legion of Iowa nor Boys State DOES NOT provide transportation for delegates, posts, or districts.

If your parents will be escorting you to Camp Dodge, please follow the signage provided to our point of check-in.

Delegates bringing cars WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO USE THEM DURING BOYS STATE except in emergencies, and then only with the permission of the Director. After you have unpacked, you will be directed to park in a lot patrolled by Camp Dodge security. Keys must be turned in to your city counselor and kept at Boys State Headquarters (C-3). You may pick them up on the last day from your city counselor or from headquarters. This restriction is necessary for the safety of Boys State delegates and conduct of Boys State program.

We highly recommend avoiding this scenario. However, we understand there may be circumstances which cannot prevent a late arrival or early departure.

If you will be arriving later on the first day of Boys State (Sunday – check in from 9 AM – 12 PM), please notify your sponsoring American Legion Post and email boysstate@ialegion.org. Please include your name and sponsoring post number. We will indicate this in our database with your registration so you will not be marked as a “no show”. If you will be arriving a day later, it is our recommendation that you do not participate. The first day is crucial to the program. There is no place in the program to play catch up after missing Day 1.

If you need to depart early, please notify your sponsoring American Legion Post and email boysstate@ialegion.org with the reason. The Director will need to evaluate the circumstance and give his approval. An early departure that is not approved will be counted as an incomplete of the program.

Your barracks will not have a telephone. Cell phone, and use of tablets/Ipads/laptops/electronic readers/etc., is permitted only when activities are not in session (during free time). Wi-fi usage is extremely limited, as you are on a military installation and security measures are followed. Please note that The American Legion of Iowa Boys State and Camp Dodge will not be held responsibile for lost and stolen items. Securing your item will be your responsibility. The inappropriate use of electronic devises while attending Boys State is prohibited. Anyone caught may be asked to give up their electronic device or they may be dismissed from the program. If such a case, your parents will be responsible for picking you up at their expense.

We advise against bringing expensive electronic in addition to your cell phone.

We strongly advise against missing a live orientation. The orientation provided by Boys State in your district provides you and your parents an introduction to the program and other delegates from your area of the state. This gives you and especially your parents a chance to interact and ask questions. It is strongly recommended one or both of your parents attend with you.

We understand during the school year this may not be feasible because of a conflicting schedule. If you cannot attend the orientation closest to you, you may attend another orientation in your district if your schedule permits. If that does not work, you may attend another district’s orienation if that works better for you.

If that is still not possible for some reason, you will need to contact The American Legion Post sponsoring you first. They are your first point of contact – they are the Legionnaires who selected you. They can review the online materials and orientation with you at a convenient time.