CITIZENS
CABINS
STATE
DAYS
Developing the Men of Tomorrow
Information Packets
The following packets contain the information necessary for a Citizen attending the 86th Annual ALMBS. (Typically posted around March of each year.)
National American Legion Commander Greetings
Senator Shelley Capito Greetings
Senator Jim Justice Greetings
Representative Carol Miller Greetings
Representative Riley Moore Greetings
2025 Citizen Packet
2025 Careers Packet
2025 Forms Packet (Print Double Sided)
WVU Jackson’s Mill Map
The American Legion Samsung Scholarship
Direct descendants (e.g. child, grandchild, great grandchild) of U.S….. wartime veterans who participate in the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Program are eligible to apply for the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. This scholarship provides up to $20,000 in aid to the recipients.
Eligible candidates will complete the application and attach the required Veteran’s Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty (Form DD-214) or other government document showing time served on active military duty and submit the application prior to the start of ALMBS each year. A participant may only apply for this opportunity the year they attend ALMBS.
Assistance in obtaining a copy of the veteran’s DD-214 may be achieved through contact with the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance Cabinet Secretary’s Office at (304) 558-3661 or through your local Field Office (locations can be found by visiting https://veterans.wv.gov). They may not have copies of every DD-214, but they may be able to tell you how to get a copy.
Military Service Academies
Application Points
In recognition of the LEADERSHIP abilities of Boys State Graduates, the U.S….. Military Service Academies issue leadership and/or extra curriculum points for attending Boys State/Girls State in the summer of their junior year. Students should talk with their high school counselors to get a recommendation for Boys State/Girls State.
Orientation Sessions
You and your parent(s)/guardian(s) are requested to attend an Orientation Session. Preregistration for an Orientation Session is required. The purpose of the Orientation is to acquaint you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) with the ALMBS program. You will meet others who will be attending ALMBS and will have an opportunity to ask questions about the program. Please have the Citizen Packet with you during the Orientation Session.
The program should last approximately 45 minutes. Your local American Legion Post may have a supplemental orientation that will provide additional information. The orientation sessions will be held virtually. It is requested that the citizen be available by video; however, this is not required. Pre-registration should be completed on the ALMBS website at https://e.wvboysstate.org.
To register for an Orientation Session, you will need the password included within the Citizen Packet. After registering, a link will be sent to the email address provided so that you can join the virtual orientation session.
Transportation
All transportation to and from ALMBS must be furnished by parent(s)/guardian(s) or sponsor(s). The ALMBS Board of Directors voted to ban automobiles being driven to camp by Citizens. ALMBS is a very intense program, and the Board made this decision out of concern for the safety and well-being of the Citizens on their drive home.
For safety purposes, Citizens are prohibited from bringing their own vehicle to ALMBS.
You should arrive between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Early arrival is recommended. The Commencement Ceremony will begin on Saturday morning promptly at 9:15 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Registration
Registration for ALMBS will promptly begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday at the MAIN PAVILION, WVU Jackson’s Mill. Follow posted signage to registration. The closest entrance to this location is from Lightburn Road by the pool entrance. The WVU Jackson’s Mill grounds can be accessed from Jacksons Mill Road or Lightburn Road (see WVU Jackson’s Mill map). Registration will close by 9:30 a.m. and ALMBS will be operational at that time. Early arrival is recommended. It is recommended that you eat breakfast prior to Registration. ALL forms in the Forms Packet must be completed and brought to registration.
Only one parent/guardian may accompany the Citizen through the registration process, and only registered Citizens and ALMBS staff will be permitted in any cottages during Registration.
During Registration, you will be issued the ALMBS Manual and one (1) ALMBS T-shirt. Additional ALMBS T-shirts can be purchased for $6.00 each. It is recommended you purchase at least two (2) additional T-shirts at the time of Registration. Additional T-shirts will be available for purchase throughout the week. The official ALMBS Citizen uniform consists of the ALMBS T-shirt and suitable pants. The ALMBS T-shirt will always be worn. The ALMBS T-shirts will be washed by staff members one time midway through the week. Your first meal will be the afternoon meal on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Location
ALMBS is held at WVU Jackson’s Mill near Weston, West Virginia. This facility is nestled in the most beautiful hills of West Virginia and offers every comfort and recreational facility of a modern camp. The native stone Mount Vernon Dining Hall, 14 spacious and healthful county cottages, a tennis court, softball fields, volleyball courts, swimming pool, frisbee golf course, and other facilities make WVU Jackson’s Mill an ideal home for ALMBS. ALMBS has been held at WVU Jackson’s Mill since the beginning of the ALMBS program in 1936.
You will be randomly assigned to one of fourteen (14) cottages. Each cottage will be managed by a Senior Counselor and one (1) to three (3) additional Counselors, depending upon the cottage’s size. You will be assigned a bed, mattress, pillow, bed sheets, pillowcase, and blanket. You will be provided instruction on the proper way to maintain your living quarters and a daily inspection of the cottages will be conducted by an Inspection Staff.
The American Legion Boys Nation
The National Headquarters of the American Legion conducts a program called the American Legion Boys Nation, which is held in Washington, DC. This program picks up the instructional process on government where respective American Legion Boys State programs leave off. Through hands on participation, young men learn about the Federal Government and its process.
The American Legion Boys Nation delegates meet with legislators from both Houses of Congress, Administration Officials, and usually have an opportunity to meet the President of the United States. Delegates will tour many historic sites in and around Washington, DC and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
The American Legion Boys Nation follows the national political process and culminates its program with the election of the President of the Boys Nation Senate. The American Legion Boys Nation is conducted at Marymount College in Arlington, Virginia.
Two (2) ALMBS Citizens will be selected to represent West Virginia at Boys Nation. This is the highest honor bestowed upon a Citizen of the American Legion Mountaineer Boys State. IMPORTANT: Only those American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Citizens who are elected to a state office, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and each political party chairman, are eligible for selection to attend American Legion Boys Nation. In extremely rare circumstances, the American Legion Boys Nation selection committee will consider a Citizen for American Legion Boys Nation who did not obtain one of the above offices, but has excelled in all aspects of the program.
Staff
The staff of ALMBS is comprised of over 75 highly motivated and qualified individuals who work with one goal in mind: To make your week at ALMBS one of the most rewarding, educational, and worthwhile experiences of your life. The staff is drawn from the ranks of The American Legion, West Virginia State Police, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section, other Agencies of West Virginia Government, United States Military Services, professional career fields, The American Legion State Headquarters staff and former ALMBS Citizens who distinguished themselves during their participation in the program. All staff members are volunteers and receive no financial compensation for their participation. The staff is always available to assist you should a question or problem arise.