Each of these important points outlines policies and information about participation in LABS. They are not an exhaustive list of expectations for the week but do provide general guidelines for those participating in the program.
Questions about program activities, schedules, or other information should be directed to the Program Staff at laboysstate@gmail.com.
Prior to the Program
- All registration information and required forms must be submitted through the laboysstate.com online registration portal.
- Citizens with dietary or medical restrictions or in need of other accommodations must note it in their online registration form and inform your Legion contact person and the Program Staff as soon as possible before departure for and arrival at the program.
- If prescription medication requires refrigeration or supervision of a medical professional, notify the Program Staff prior to arrival on campus. Most accommodations can be made in conjunction with university staff but guarantees to that effect cannot be made without notification prior to the start of the program.
- Citizens should contact their American Legion representative at least two weeks prior to the start of Boys State. Verify your plans to attend the program and double check information for date and time of departure to the program. Be sure to attend any program orientation meetings offered by your local Legion Post or District.
- Citizens selected to attend are encouraged to talk with former Citizens from their school and community to learn about the program. Additional questions or requests for information can be directed to the Boys State Program Staff.
- No campaign material — for any office, on any level — may be prepared in advance and brought to Louisiana Boys State.
Travel, Arrival, and Attendance
- All luggage items including hanging bags and backpacks must be labeled for identification and should include Citizen name, hometown, and school or American Legion district.
- Carefully read the packing list provided, and pack only what you can carry. The volume of Citizens prevents us from assisting with excess luggage and parents will not be able to help Citizens move into the dorms.
- Neither the American Legion, Boys State program, nor Southeastern Louisiana University can guarantee that any luggage or other items lost or left behind in dorms spaces following departure from the program will be able to be recovered or returned.
- Travel to and from the program is organized by each American Legion District. Each District decides the arrangements and manner for Citizens from that District to travel to and from the program. This may involve personal transportation or regionally organized and provided transportation.
- Any Citizens self-transporting to the program will be required to turn in their keys to the Program Staff for the duration of the program. Keys will be secured for the duration of the program in program-provided lock boxes.
- Each Citizen is expected to remain with the program the entire session. Completion of the program is determined to have been achieved upon successful attendance and participation in all its aspects from registration on the first day to the Closing Convocation and Awards Ceremony on the final day.
- Citizens dismissed from the program for behavioral reasons will not be recognized as having attended or completed an American Legion Boys State program.
- Citizens departing the program early due to medical reasons; death of a family member; or severe, unanticipated events (“acts of God”) may be granted attendance recognition at the discretion of the Boys State Commission Chair.
- Citizen departure from the program – whether early or on the final day and whether by American Legion provided transportation or by parent – is subject to check-out with members of the American Legion and Boys State Staff. No Citizen may depart the program without following these procedures to ensure the safety of all participants.
During the Program
- Citizens are responsible for any loss or damage to their own personal items, and they should avoid bringing any expensive or fragile items to the program. Neither Southeastern Louisiana University nor Louisiana Boys State will be responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed property. Safeguarding property is the responsibility of the Citizen.
- Electronic device policy: Elections, academic activities, and certain Citizen engagement opportunities involve the use of digital platforms. Personal smart phones, tablets, or laptop computers are used throughout the week to complete these activities. Citizens are encouraged to bring personal, portable internet capable devices for this purpose.
- The Program will provide or assist with access to necessary devices for Citizens who may not have or be able to bring their own devices to use during the week.
- Citizens should avoid bringing overly large, heavy, or expensive devices as they are responsible for keeping track of and carrying them as needed while moving between sessions and activities each day.
- Usage of personal electronic devices may be restricted during certain program activities such as whole program convocations to limit distractions.
- Program materials, room, and meals are included as part of program costs. Other items such as snacks and soft drinks are may be regularly available through SLU facilities. Pizza can be purchased two nights of the program. One program t-shirt is provided as part of program costs, but it is advisable to buy at least one additional shirt. Boys State Staff generally recommends $50-$60 to cover the cost of additional shirts, pizza, snacks, or program merchandise.
- During the program, each Citizen will have the opportunity to write to his sponsoring American Legion post and/or district expressing thanks for being able to attend the program. Upon returning home, be prepared if asked to attend a meeting at the local American Legion Post and make a report on your experiences at the program.
- Each Citizen who attends the program is a young adult and is expected to represent their school, their sponsor, The American Legion and Louisiana Boys State with the utmost integrity, meeting at minimum the expectations laid out here and in the Boys State Code of Conduct.
