Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. For over 75 years the week-long camp has shaped the lives of notable leaders, both in Arkansas and across the nation.

Each year, participants in Boys State are assigned a position in a mock political party, city, and county. Over the course of the week, delegates of the program nominate and elect officials to various levels the mock government. The Arkansas Boys State program offerings are designed to offer practical instruction on the duties and responsibilities both of a citizen and of public officials.

The “citizens” of each “Boys State” city and county nominate members of their individual parties to be candidates for the various city and county offices. Elections are held with the citizens conducting their own balloting. They also attend daily sessions where citizens hear from elected officials and community leaders from across the state.

By week’s end “Boys State” has created their own state government including their own governor and staff of state officials, named appointive officers, established the state Supreme Court and other courts, and organized the legislature and all other divisions of government.

Those elected to the House of Representatives participate in a one-day session where, if their bills are chosen, they can present them as if they were actual members of the House of Representatives. Other Boys State delegates are given the chance to speak for or against the bills, and vote on them as well. During this time, actual members of the Arkansas House as well as the Parliamentarian of the House take time to walk the young men through the legislative process and the etiquette of the Arkansas House of Representatives.

The Arkansas House Communications team has the privilege to document those who are elected into the Arkansas House of Representatives positions.

By sharing these moments on their personal social media sites, the Arkansas Representatives who participate in the program show how they are inspiring future leaders of the state. The Arkansas House Communications team also remains active on their multiple social media platforms to help spread the awareness of this extremely positive and life changing program.