CITIZENS
CABINS
STATE
DAYS
Developing the Men of Tomorrow
Information Packets
The following packets contain the information necessary for a Citizen attending the 87th Annual ALMBS.
National American Legion Commander Greetings
Senator Shelley Capito Greetings
Senator Jim Justice Greetings
Representative Carol Miller Greetings
Representative Riley Moore Greetings
2026 ALMBS Citizens Packet
2026 ALMBS Careers Packet
2026 ALMBS 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
All citizens and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are requested to attend an online Orientation Session prior to the start of the program. These virtual sessions are designed to familiarize attendees with the ALMBS program and provide an opportunity to ask questions.
Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes. Citizens are requested to be available by video, but this is not required. Your local American Legion Post may also offer a supplemental orientation with additional information.
Pre-registration is required at least 3 hours prior to your selected session. Register at https://e.wvboysstate.org. The password required to register is included in your Citizen Packet.
Transportation
For safety purposes, Citizens are prohibited from bringing their own vehicle to ALMBS. ALMBS is a very intense program, and the ALMBS Board of Directors made this decision for the safety and well-being of all Citizens. All transportation to and from ALMBS must be furnished by parent(s)/guardian(s) or sponsor(s).
Citizens should arrive between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Early arrival is recommended. The Commencement Ceremony will begin Saturday morning promptly at 9:15 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Registration
Registration will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. at the Main Pavilion, WVU Jackson’s Mill. All forms in the Forms Packet must be completed and brought to Registration. Registration will close by 9:30 a.m., and ALMBS will be fully operational at that time. Early arrival is encouraged. The first meal served will be the afternoon meal at 12:30 p.m., so eating breakfast prior to arrival is recommended.
Only one parent/guardian may accompany the Citizen through the Registration process. All guests are kindly requested to leave the cottage areas promptly after unloading and settling Citizens.
The WVU Jackson’s Mill campus is accessed from Jacksons Mill Road. The Lightburn Road entrance by the pool is reserved for exiting vehicles only. Follow posted signage to Registration. Staff may direct vehicles to cottages to unload before proceeding to the Main Pavilion. Parking near Registration is limited, so parking elsewhere on campus and walking is encouraged.
Each Citizen will receive one ALMBS T-shirt at Registration. An ALMBS T-shirt is required to be worn at all times, so purchasing at least two additional shirts is recommended. Additional T-shirts are available for $6.00 each and will remain available for purchase through Thursday. T-shirts will be laundered by Staff at least once during the week.
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
Two ALMBS Citizens are selected each year to represent West Virginia at The American Legion Boys Nation (ALBN) in Washington, DC. This is the highest honor bestowed upon a Citizen of ALMBS.
Boys Nation continues the instructional process on government where Boys State leaves off. Through hands-on participation, delegates learn about the Federal Government, meet with members of Congress and Administration officials, tour historic sites in and around Washington, DC, and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The program follows the national political process and culminates with the election of the President of the Boys Nation Senate.
Citizens elected to a state office, the Supreme Court, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, or a political party chairmanship are automatically eligible to apply. The Selection Committee may also consider Citizens who have excelled in all aspects of the program as identified by their Senior Counselor or Career Path Coordinator. Two alternates are selected in the event a principal delegate is unable to attend. Transportation, housing, and meals are provided by The American Legion National Headquarters.
Key attributes of Boys Nation attendees include policy knowledge, debate skills, charisma, self-confidence, and love of country.
Staff
The ALMBS Staff is comprised of over 75 highly motivated and qualified volunteers dedicated to making the ALMBS experience rewarding, educational, and worthwhile. Staff members are drawn from 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 Department of West Virginia Headquarters, and former ALMBS Citizens who distinguished themselves during their participation in the program. All Staff members are required to undergo background checks and receive no financial compensation for their participation. The Staff is always available to assist Citizens should a question or problem arise.