A Week That Shapes A Lifetime!
The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State
The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State (ALMBS) is the West Virginia version of The American Legion's Boys State program. The American Legion Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935. ALMBS was founded in 1936 and holds the second oldest charter in the nation. ALMBS is the only program in the nation that is still held in the same location (WVU Jackson's Mill) where it was founded. Mountaineer Boys State typically has approximately 400 citizens that graduate from the program annually. ALMBS has numerous career paths Citizen participation. The camp is held annually and typically the second full week of June.
The American Legion Boys State is among the most respected educational programs of government instruction for high school students. Each participant becomes a part of the operation of his city, county and state government.
At the American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.
High school juniors are selected by local American Legion Posts to attend the program. In most cases, expenses associated with attending this program are paid by a sponsoring American Legion Post, a local business or another community-based organization; however, individuals may sponsor an eligible candidate to the program.
The American Legion Mountaineer Boys State Leadership
Robbie Robinson
Director
Matt Sampson
Assistant Director
Randall Kocsis
Program Administrator
Bob Wines
Operations Administrator
Jacob McCarty
Technology Administrator
Governors
- 2020: Program Cancelled
- 2021: Program Cancelled
- 2022: William Behrens (N)
- 2023: Samuel Dodson (N)
- 2024:
- 2025:
- 2026:
- 2027:
- 2028:
- 2029:
Attendance
- June 7-13, 2020: Cancelled COVID-19 Pandemic
- June 13-19, 2021: Cancelled COVID-19 Pandemic
- June 12-18, 2022: 198
- June 11-17, 2023: 217
- June 9-15, 2024:
- 2025:
- 2026:
- 2027:
- 2028:
- 2029:
2024 Manual
- Manual of Government
2024 Newspapers
- Volume 85, Issue 1
- Volume 85, Issue 2
- Volume 85, Issue 3
- Volume 85, Issue 4
- Volume 85 Issue 5
- Volume 85, Issue 6
- Volume 85, Issue 7
Governors
- 2010: George Capel
- 2011: Nima Ronaghi
- 2012: Damian Cooke
- 2013: Eric Finch
- 2014: Dante McCarroll
- 2015: Carlo Perri
- 2016: Niall Diehl
- 2017: Angelo Cocchiaro
- 2018: Connor Wickline
- 2019: Carson Winkie
Attendance
- June 13-19, 2010: 295
- June 12-18, 2011: 307
- June 10-16, 2012: 366
- June 9-15, 2013: 371
- June 8-14, 2014: 352
- June 7-13, 2015: 387
- June 12-18, 2016: 411
- June 11-17, 2017: 364
- June 10-16, 2018: 372
- June 9-15, 2019: 349
2019 Manual
2019 Newspapers
- Volume 82, Issue 1
- Volume 82, Issue 2
- Volume 82, Issue 3
- Volume 82, Issue 4
- Volume 82, Issue 5
- Volume 82, Issue 6
- Volume 82, Issue 7
2016 Manual
2016 Newspapers
2014 Manual
2013 Manual
2012 Manual
2011 Manual
Governors
- 2000: Patrick Knighton
- 2001: Matthew Stonestreet
- 2002: Jeremy Lockett
- 2003: Frank Wang
- 2004: Joseph Wells
Bobby Herron - Installed June 12, 2005 - 2005: Afeef Ahmed
- 2006: Uzkar Ibrahim
- 2007: Tanner Moore
- 2008: Dane Hamilton
- 2009: Cody Steffick
Attendance
- June 11-17, 2000: 392
- June 10-16, 2001: 385
- June 9-15, 2002: 405
- June 8-14, 2003: 364
- June 6-12, 2004: 333
- June 12-18, 2005: 342
- June 11-17, 2006: 318
- June 10-16, 2007: 325
- June 8-14, 2008: 351
- June 14-20, 2009: 307
2004 Newspapers
- Volume 67, Issue 1
- Volume 67, Issue 2
- Volume 67, Issue 3
- Volume 67, Issue 4
- Volume 67, Issue 5
- Volume 67, Issue 6
Governors
- 1990: Joseph Limer
- 1991: Joseph Tennant
- 1992: Randall A. Campbell
- 1993: Blair Bush
- 1994: Ronnie Wells
- 1995: Brandon Craft
- 1996: Walter Greenhowe, Jr.
- 1997: Major Newsom
Phil Hancock - Installed June 8, 1998 - 1998: Dwan Perry
- 1999: Steven O'Chap
Attendance
- June 10-15, 1990: 408
- June 9-14, 1991: 409
- June 7-12, 1992: 373
- June 6-12, 1993: 264
- June 5-11, 1994: 410
- June 11-17, 1995: 349
- June 9-15, 1996: 358
- June 8-14, 1997:
- June 7-13, 1998: 403
- June 6-12, 1999:
1997 Newspapers
- Volume 60, Issue 1
- Volume 60, Issue 2
- Volume 60, Issue 3
- Volume 60, Issue 4
- Volume 60, Issue 5
- Volume 60, Issue 6
Governors
- 1980: Mark Zachwieja
- 1981: Brent Walker
- 1982: James Goots
- 1983: John Gemondo
- 1984: William Robert Spencer, Jr.
- 1985: Anthony J. Webster
- 1986: Timothy Absten
- 1987: Greg Lunsford
- 1988: Stephen Redd
- 1989: Coy Flowers
Attendance
- June 15-21, 1980: 378
- June 14-20, 1981: 374
- June 13-19, 1982: 382
- June 12-18, 1983:
- June 17-23, 1984:
- June 16-22, 1985: 414
- June 15-20, 1986: 395
- June 14-19, 1987:
- June 12-18, 1988: 390
- June 11-16, 1989: 406
1987 Newspapers
- Volume 50, Issue 1
- Volume 50, Issue 2
- Volume 50, Issue 3
- Volume 50, Issue 4
- Volume 50, Issue 5
- Volume 50, Issue 6
1986 Newspapers
- Volume 49, Issue 1
- Volume 49, Issue 2
- Volume 49, Issue 3
- Volume 49, Issue 4
- Volume 49, Issue 5
- Volume 49, Issue 6
1985 Newspapers
- Volume 48, Issue 1
- Volume 48, Issue 2
- Volume 48, Issue 3
- Volume 48, Issue 4
- Volume 48, Issue 5
- Volume 48, Issue 6
1984 Newspapers
- Volume 47, Issue 1
- Volume 47, Issue 2
- Volume 47, Issue 3
- Volume 47, Issue 4
- Volume 47, Issue 5
- Volume 47, Issue 6
1983 Newspapers
- Volume 46, Issue 1
- Volume 46, Issue 2
- Volume 46, Issue 3
- Volume 46, Issue 4
- Volume 46, Issue 5
- Volume 46, Issue 6
1982 Newspapers
- Volume 45, Issue 1
- Volume 45, Issue 2
- Volume 45, Issue 3
- Volume 45, Issue 4
- Volume 45, Issue 5
- Volume 45, Issue 6
1981 Newspapers
- Volume 44, Issue 1
- Volume 44, Issue 2
- Volume 44, Issue 3
- Volume 44, Issue 4
- Volume 44, Issue 5
- Volume 44, Issue 6
Governors
- 1970: Van Jetson Daniels
- 1971: Donald Franklin Copenhaver
- 1972: Steve Anthony Hill
- 1973: Elliot Hicks
- 1974: Charles William Loeb, Jr.
- 1975: Sam Matthew Spenia
- 1976: Charles Hughie Smith
- 1977: John Alan Willis
- 1978: Timmy Dean Wheeler
- 1979: Joseph Caro
Attendance
- 1970: 358
- 1971: 360
- June 18-24, 1972: 371
- June 17-23, 1973: 386
- 1974: 369
- June 15-21, 1975: 362
- June 13-19, 1976:
- June 12-18, 1977: 380
- June 18-24, 1978:
- June 17-23, 1979: 370
1978 Newspapers
- Volume 41, Issue 1
- Volume 41, Issue 2
- Volume 41, Issue 3
- Volume 41, Issue 4
- Volume 41, Issue 5
- Volume 41, Issue 6
1977 Newspapers
- Volume 40, Issue 1
- Volume 40, Issue 2
- Volume 40, Issue 3
- Volume 40, Issue 4
- Volume 40, Issue 5
- Volume 40, Issue 6
1976 Newspapers
- Volume 39, Issue 1
- Volume 39, Issue 2
- Volume 39, Issue 3
- Volume 39, Issue 4
- Volume 39, Issue 5
- Volume 39, Issue 6
1974 Newspapers
- Volume 37, Issue 1
- Volume 37, Issue 2
- Volume 37, Issue 3
- Volume 37, Issue 4
- Volume 37, Issue 5
- Volume 37, Issue 6
1973 Newspapers
- Volume 36, Issue 1
- Volume 36, Issue 2
- Volume 36, Issue 3
- Volume 36, Issue 4
- Volume 36, Issue 5
- Volume 36, Issue 6
1971 Newspapers
- Volume 34, Issue 1
- Volume 34, Issue 2
- Volume 34, Issue 3
- Volume 34, Issue 4
- Volume 34, Issue 5
- Volume 34, Issue 6
1970 Newspapers
- Volume 33, Issue 1
- Volume 33, Issue 2
- Volume 33, Issue 3
- Volume 33, Issue 4
- Volume 33, Issue 5
- Volume 33, Issue 6
Governors
- 1960: Dean Thompson
- 1961: Glenn Kiger
- 1962: Phillip J. Peters
- 1963: Thomas I. Craig, Jr.
- 1964: Tom Stewart Way
- 1965: Kerry Bethel Jarrell
- 1966: Carl Michael Akers
- 1967: Malcolm Barrett Louden
- 1968: Charles Michael Connor
- 1969: Harry Layne Hull
Attendance
- 1960: 346
- June 4-10, 1961: 348
- June 3-9, 1962: 347
- 1963: 351
- 1964: 348
- 1965: 352
- 1966: 350
- 1967: 353
- 1968:
- 1969: 429
1969 Newspapers
- Volume 32, Issue 1
- Volume 32, Issue 2
- Volume 32, Issue 3
- Volume 32, Issue 4
- Volume 32, Issue 5
- Volume 32, Issue 6
1968 Newspapers
- Volume 31, Issue 1
- Volume 31, Issue 2
- Volume 31, Issue 3
- Volume 31, Issue 4
- Volume 31, Issue 5
- Volume 31, Issue 6
1967 Newspapers
- Volume 30, Issue 1
- Volume 30, Issue 2
- Volume 30, Issue 3
- Volume 30, Issue 4
- Volume 30, Issue 5
- Volume 30, Issue 6
1966 Newspapers
- Volume 29, Issue 1
- Volume 29, Issue 2
- Volume 29, Issue 3
- Volume 29, Issue 4
- Volume 29, Issue 5
- Volume 29, Issue 6
1965 Newspapers
- Volume 28, Issue 1
- Volume 28, Issue 2
- Volume 28, Issue 3
- Volume 28, Issue 4
- Volume 28, Issue 5
- Volume 28, Issue 6
1964 Newspapers
- Volume 27, Issue 1
- Volume 27, Issue 2
- Volume 27, Issue 3
- Volume 27, Issue 4
- Volume 27, Issue 5
- Volume 27, Issue 6
1963 Newspapers
- Volume 26, Issue 1
- Volume 26, Issue 2
- Volume 26, Issue 3
- Volume 26, Issue 4
- Volume 26, Issue 5
- Volume 26, Issue 6
1961 Newspapers
- Volume 24, Issue 1
- Volume 24, Issue 2
- Volume 24, Issue 3
- Volume 24, Issue 4
- Volume 24, Issue 5
- Volume 24, Issue 6
- Volume 24, Issue 7
1960 Newspapers
- Volume 23, Issue 1
- Volume 23, Issue 2
- Volume 23, Issue 3
- Volume 23, Issue 4
- Volume 23, Issue 5
- Volume 23, Issue 6
- Volume 23, Issue 7
Governors
- 1950: Ted Rake
- 1951: Robert Morgan
- 1952: Jim St. Clair
- 1953: Russel A. Thom, Jr.
- 1954: Charles F. Lucas
- 1955: Burton A. Dudding
- 1956: John Frye
- 1957: John F. Kile
- 1958: Dean Hunneshagen
- 1959: William D. Shaffer
Attendance
- 1950: 331
- 1951: 319
- 1952: 329
- 1953: 329
- 1954: 339
- 1955: 336
- June 3-9, 1956: 347
- June 2-8, 1957: 349
- 1958: 345
- 1959: 342
1959 Newspapers
- Volume 22, Issue 1
- Volume 22, Issue 2
- Volume 22, Issue 3
- Volume 22, Issue 4
- Volume 22, Issue 5
- Volume 22, Issue 6
- Volume 22, Issue 7
1958 Newspapers
- Volume 21, Issue 1
- Volume 21, Issue 2
- Volume 21, Issue 3
- Volume 21, Issue 4
- Volume 21, Issue 5
- Volume 21, Issue 6
1955 Newspapers
- Volume 18, Issue 1
- Volume 18, Issue 2
- Volume 18, Issue 3
- Volume 18, Issue 4
- Volume 18, Issue 5
- Volume 18, Issue 6
1954 Newspapers
- Volume 17, Issue 1
- Volume 17, Issue 2
- Volume 17, Issue 3
- Volume 17, Issue 4
- Volume 17, Issue 5
- Volume 17, Issue 6
1953 Newspapers
- Volume 16, Issue 1
- Volume 16, Issue 2
- Volume 16, Issue 3
- Volume 16, Issue 4
- Volume 16, Issue 5
- Volume 16, Issue 6
1952 Newspapers
- Volume 15, Issue 1
- Volume 15, Issue 2
- Volume 15, Issue 3
- Volume 15, Issue 4
- Volume 15, Issue 5
- Volume 15, Issue 6
1951 Newspapers
- Volume 14, Issue 1
- Volume 14, Issue 2
- Volume 14, Issue 3
- Volume 14, Issue 4
- Volume 14, Issue 5
- Volume 14, Issue 6
1950 Newspapers
- Volume 13, Issue 1
- Volume 13, Issue 2
- Volume 13, Issue 3
- Volume 13, Issue 4
- Volume 13, Issue 5
- Volume 13, Issue 6
Governors
- 1940: James H. Fresh
- 1941: Jack Lee
- 1942: Richard Turner
- 1943: Program Cancelled
- 1944: Tom Langfih
- 1945: Program Cancelled
- 1946: Dave Daugherty
- 1947: Elmer H. Freese
- 1948: David Hermansdorfer
- 1949: Henry "Hoppy" Shores
Attendance
- 1940: 404
- 1941: 404
- 1942: 400
- 1943: Cancelled WWII Rationing
- 1944: 363
- 1945: Cancelled WWII Rationing
- 1946: 298
- 1947: 323
- 1948: 337
- 1949: 324
1949 Newspapers
- Volume 12, Issue 1
- Volume 12, Issue 2
- Volume 12, Issue 3
- Volume 12, Issue 4
- Volume 12, Issue 5
- Volume 12, Issue 6
1948 Newspapers
- Volume 11, Issue 1
- Volume 11, Issue 2
- Volume 11, Issue 3
- Volume 11, Issue 4
- Volume 11, Issue 5
- Volume 11, Issue 6
1947 Newspapers
- Volume 10, Issue 1
- Volume 10, Issue 2
- Volume 10, Issue 3
- Volume 10, Issue 4
- Volume 10, Issue 5
- Volume 10, Issue 6
1946 Newspapers
- Volume 9, Issue 1
- Volume 9, Issue 2
- Volume 9, Issue 3
- Volume 9, Issue 4
- Volume 9, Issue 5
- Volume 9, Issue 6
1944 Newspapers
- Volume 8, Issue 1
- Volume 8, Issue 2
- Volume 8, Issue 3
- Volume 8, Issue 4
- Volume 8, Issue 5
- Volume 8, Issue 6
1942 Newspapers
- Volume 7, Issue 1
- Volume 7, Issue 2
- Volume 7, Issue 3
- Volume 7, Issue 4
- Volume 7, Issue 5
- Volume 7, Issue 6
1941 Newspapers
- Volume 6, Issue 1
- Volume 6, Issue 2
- Volume 6, Issue 3
- Volume 6, Issue 4
- Volume 6, Issue 5
- Volume 6, Issue 6
1940 Newspapers
- Volume 5, Issue 1
- Volume 5, Issue 2
- Volume 5, Issue 3
- Volume 5, Issue 4
- Volume 5, Issue 5
- Volume 5, Issue 6
Governors
- 1936: Leslie G. Reed
- 1937: Paul Cronin
- 1938: William G. Miller
- 1939: Rodney Wolford
Attendance
- 1936: 300
- 1937: 413
- 1938: 337
- 1939: 380
1939 Newspapers
- Volume 4, Issue 1
- Volume 4, Issue 2
- Volume 4, Issue 3
- Volume 4, Issue 4
- Volume 4, Issue 5
- Volume 4, Issue 6
1938 Newspapers
- Volume 3, Issue 1
- Volume 3, Issue 2
- Volume 3, Issue 3
- Volume 3, Issue 4
- Volume 3, Issue 5
- Volume 3, Issue 6
1937 Newspapers
- Volume 2, Issue 1
- Volume 2, Issue 2
- Volume 2, Issue 3
- Volume 2, Issue 4
- Volume 2, Issue 5
- Volume 2, Issue 6
1936 Newspapers
- Volume 1, Issue 1
- Volume 1, Issue 2
- Volume 1, Issue 3
- Volume 1, Issue 4
- Volume 1, Issue 5
- Volume 1, Issue 6
Past Directors
- 1938-1941: R. Worth Shumaker
- 1941-1943: Allen Simmons
- 1943-1945: M. R. Dodd
- 1945-1960: W. R. Fugitt
- 1960-1981: Tommy Jones
- 1981-2002: Robert Lee Stine
- 2002-2011: Clarence Walton
- 2011-2021: James W. Davis
- 2021-Current: David L. "Robbie" Robinson
National Awards
- 2014: National American Legion Press Association Robert L. Morril Social Media Award First Place - Administered by Jacob McCarty, Michael Sluss and Luke Kopp
- 2014: National American Legion Press Association Mary B. Howard Website Award Third Place - Administered by Jacob McCarty, Michael Sluss and Luke Kopp
WV SAL Squadron 200
Commanders
- 2001-2009: Steve Sluss
- 2009-2010: Randall K. Kocsis
- 2010-2019: James Dague
- 2019-Current: Josh Smith