The information below from the 2023 program may serve as an example for the type of events livestreamed during the week of the program. Information for the 2024 program will be updated in June 2024.
Capitol Program and Awards Convocation
The Capitol Program will be held in the NSU Friedman Student Union (185 Sam Sibley Drive, Natchitoches), from 9:45 am -12:35 pm. Parents, family members, and other guests are invited to attend and watch as Citizens demonstrate projects and knowledge from throughout the week.
The morning’s schedule will include:
– Parent Orientation (Student Union Ballroom): 9:45 am – 10:00 am
– Local government session: 10:15 am – 10:55 am
– Courts session: 11:05 am – 11:45 am
– Legislature session: 11:55 am – 12:35 pm
The Awards Convocation will be held in the Student Union ballroom at 2:30 pm. It will be livestreamed through YouTube.
Between the Capitol Program and Awards Convocation, Boys State Citizens will eat lunch in the NSU cafeteria. Parents are encouraged to visit any of the fine restaurants in Natchitoches but cannot be accommodated in the cafeteria nor can Citizens leave campus at this time.
Additional information on the city of Natchitoches including lodging and other sights to see can be found through the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce or Natchitoches.net.
Departure from NSU
After the Awards Convocation ends, Boys State Citizens will walk from the Student Union to the Health and Human Performance Building (H&HP), located at 170 Tarlton Dr, for checkout and departure.
Citizens who depart the program with parents or by self-driving must be checked out through the program staff while bus riders depart as verified through the American Legion. All Citizens wait in the H&HP gym as a holding area until either checked out or boarding a bus. The departure process is scheduled to begin at 3:45 pm.
No Citizen may depart from the program without following checkout procedures as described below for the safety of all.
Bus transportation
Students traveling on buses provided by the American Legion will board and depart as soon as rosters are checked and verified.
Parent pick-up
Any Citizen who leaves on the last day with a parent/guardian must be checked out with the program staff. Please be aware that there may be a short waiting period as we process bus riders. Upon arrival at H&HP, parents will be directed to a checkout line.
Citizens may only be checked our by the primary or secondary parent/guardian listed on the Citizen’s registration information unless prior delegated permission is provided. Delegating permission requires parents download, complete, sign, and email back the delegated permission form to laboysstate@gmail.com.
Checkout requires a state or federally issued photo ID (driver’s license, tribal ID card, passport, etc.) be presented by the individual(s) picking up the Citizen.
Self-driving
Citizens who drove themselves to the program will check out with program staff and be returned their vehicle keys once departure is under way.