Please see the 2013 County Orientation meeting schedule by clicking here.

Letter to 2013 Delegates

May 14, 2013

Dear 2013 American Legion Jersey Boys State Delegates:

On behalf of the American Legion Department of New Jersey, the officers, trustees, and staff of American Legion Jersey Boys State, Program co-sponsors, and your school educators and administrators, congratulations on being selected to attend the 2013 American Legion Jersey Boys State ("ALJBS") Program.

ALJBS is one of the best and most prestigious youth Programs in the United States today. Sponsored by the American Legion Department of New Jersey, we have an exciting session planned for you with many new and exciting activities and speakers. This session will mark our 68th anniversary, we have lined up more speakers, former delegates from past sessions who have achieved the highest offices of Governor and Boys Nation Senators, and with other festivities planned, 2013 will be our best yet.

As a delegate, you will have the opportunity to govern and interact with some of the top high school juniors from across the State of New Jersey and run your own mythical 51st state. You will have a unique opportunity to not only learn about but try to find solutions to the real life problems facing our municipalities, counties and the state as a whole. You will also hear how your real life counterparts are dealing with those same issues in their jobs as councilmen, mayors, freeholders, county executives, assemblymen, senators, and governor.

We are often asked by future delegates how to best prepare for the upcoming session. First and foremost, be prepared to get involved in the Program the minute you arrive. ALJBS is a fast paced program that covers a lot of ground in a short period of time. If you do not get involved from the start, you will wish you had. Many offices and appointments are decided in the first couple of days of the Program. Second, read your local newspaper as well as the Trenton Times and Newark Star Ledger to familiarize yourself with the types of issues that you will face at ALJBS. Third, get plenty of rest immediately preceding ALJBS. As previously mentioned, ALJBS is a fast paced Program that keeps you busy all day late into the night. If you come to the Program tired, you may have problems keeping up with your fellow delegates. Lastly, familiarize yourself with the information contained in this website and in the information package that was mailed to you by American Legion Jersey Boys State.

Once again, congratulations on being selected to American Legion Jersey Boys State. We look forward to an exciting session and seeing you at Rider University on Sunday, June 16th at 8:00am. We know you will do your parents, school and sponsors proud.

Sincerely,
David S. Bagatelle	Theodore J. Howarth, Jr.
Director	President
American Legion Jersey Boys State	American Legion Jersey Boys State Corporation

Held at Rider University every year beginning on Father's Day, ALJBS has a strong tradition of education, patriotism and excellence in the development of tomorrow's leaders at our weeklong hands-on program.

Our mission:

To develop good citizens in the United States of America by inspiring the youth of New Jersey to take a more active and intelligent interest in the operation of our State and Nation and in the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship and to understand the sacrifices made by our Veterans to preserve our nation and way of life.