What is BBS?

An eight-day 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 Ohio’s government.

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Hundreds of delegates from across the state of Ohio

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Hands-on government and elections experience

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An experience living on Miami University's campus

A Program built on legacy…

Since 1936, Buckeye Boys State has been Ohio’s preeminent leadership program for over 90,000 delegates.

The American Legion’s Buckeye Boys State is the third-oldest and one of the largest Boys State programs in the nation with an attendance of over 1,200 young men annually, representing nearly 600 high schools, online schools, and the home-schooled community.

Our Mission: to provide an educational and leadership program that exposes young men to the rights and privileges, the duties and responsibilities, and the love for God and Country necessary to being self-governing citizens.

Delegates will arrive at Miami University on Sunday and begin their week with campaigning and elections.

Delegates running for elected positions will seek their party nomination at their respective city, county, and state caucuses. They will prepare and give speeches, get to know their fellow Boys State citizens, spend money on campaign materials and digital advertisements, and secure the votes needed to win their party’s nomination.

Delegates will vote in both a primary and general election for their peers.

Those running for elected positions who successfully get their nomination will be listed on the general election ballot and will run on their party’s platform for the future of Buckeye Boys State.

Everyone at Buckeye Boys State will have a job and will work to act as a fully functioning government.

Once elected or appointed, all delegates will collaborate to pass legislation, debate issues, hear court cases, and more, reflecting Ohio’s government at the state, county, and local levels.

What to Expect

1. Apply and Interview

American Legion posts across the State of Ohio will set up interviews with local high schools in their area. Your school guidance counselor or administrators will have more specific information. If there are no interviews being conducted at your school, apply on this website by selecting Become A Delegate.

2. Attend Orientation and Prepare

All delegates are expected to attend an in-person or virtual orientation to learn more about the next steps, hear about the schedule throughout the week, learn more about the different roles and elections, and ask any questions you may have before the program.

3. Attend the Program

Selected delegates will arrive at Miami University and hit the ground running! The first couple of days have a strong focus on elections and shortly after, Buckeye Boys State will run collaboratively as a mock fully functioning government.

Notable Alumni

Neil Armstrong – First man on the moon
Thomas Moyer – Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice
Michael Oxley – U.S. Congressman
Greg Lashutka – Former Columbus Mayor
Terence Henricks – Astronaut
Carl Walz – Astronaut
Michael Gernhardt – Astronaut
Joseph Johns – Television Reporter
Randall Gardner – Ohio Senator
Gregory Johnson – Astronaut
Darrin Blackford – U.S. Secret Service
David Moreland – U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
William Batchelder – Ohio Speaker of the House
Paul Gillmor – US Congressman

Where We’ve Been

1936 – 1941	Ohio State Fairgrounds
1942 – 1943	Ohio Wesleyan University
1944	Otterbein College
1946	Miami University
1947 – 1949	Ohio Wesleyan University
1950 – 1958	Camp Perry
1959 – 1970	Ohio University
1971 – 1974	Ashland College
1975 – 1977	Ohio University
1978 – 2016	Bowling Green State University
2017 – present	Miami University

SChool resources

View templates and media to introduce your school to the American Legion Buckeye Boys State program and share information about the week to the shape a lifetime.

View Resources