Community & Mentorship Programs

Post 41 mentors youth and adults through the provision of enrichment, educational, and sporting initiatives. Through these activities and programs, Post 41 aims to help today’s youth become positive influencers in our society and foster community-building across all generations.

Boys State & Boys Nation

Boys State and Boys Nation are participatory programs sponsored by the national American Legion organization. Through the program, participants become part of the operation of local, county, and state government.

• Boys State—Post 41 selects high school juniors to attend the program to learn the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses, and recreational programs.

• Boys Nation—Two representatives from each of the 49 Boys States represent their state at Boys Nation in Washington, where the young leaders receive an education on the structure and function of federal government.

  At the event, each delegate acts as a senator from his Boys State. The young lawmakers caucus at the beginning of the session, then organize into committees and conduct hearings on bills submitted by program delegates. The week of government training also includes lectures, forums and visits to federal agencies, national shrines, institutions, memorials and historical sites. On Capitol Hill, Boys Nation senators meet with elected officials from their home states.

Students interested in applying for the program must do so through the American Legion Department of Maryland. Additional information about eligibility and the history of each program is available on the national American Legion website.

Visit the American Legion Department of Maryland Boys State Application Site

Girls State & Girls Nation

The Girls State and Girls Nation programs are supported by Post 41 through the American Legion Auxiliary’s (ALA) Unit 41. The program epitomizes the ALA’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom through our enduring commitment to develop young women as future leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. The young women become knowledgeable of the democratic process and how our republic form of government works at the state and national levels.

• Girls State—Each summer, approximately 16,000 young women participate in weeklong ALA Girls State programs across the nation. Every American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program operates with the same patriotic values through a nonpartisan curriculum where students assume the roles of government leaders, campaigning in mock parties (often called “Federalists” and “Nationalists”) to become mayors and county and state officials of their ALA Girls State. The program is a weeklong immersive learning experience, often held on a college campus where girls live in “cities” within a dormitory-like setting. The learning, experience, memories, and friendships last a lifetime.

• Girls Nation—Two participants are chosen from each state after participating in their respective ALA Girls State programs. The girls are known as “senators.” During ALA Girls Nation in Washington, D.C., the girls participate in a mock legislature and are responsible for submitting bills and resolutions, participating in senate sessions, and electing officials such as president and vice president. While in D.C., they meet with their state senators and representatives, and participate in field trips to see the historical Washington monuments, Arlington National Cemetery, and the White House.

Students interested in applying for the program must do so through the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Maryland. Additional information about eligibility and the history of each program is available on the national American Legion Auxiliary website. You can also see what participants are up to on the ALA Maryland Girls State Facebook page!

Visit the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Maryland Application Site

Scholarships

The national American Legion offers a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education and enrichment. There are opportunities for everyone, including kin of wartime veterans and participants in Legion programs.

• Samsung American Legion Scholarship—Worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by the American Legion in 1996. Meant to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea's aid during its struggle against communist forces in the Korean War, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program established a series of scholarships derived from interest and other income from the principal amount. To date, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship has awarded more than $5.5 million to approximately 2,069 applicants.

• Legacy Scholarship—The American Legion’s Legacy Scholarship provides college scholarship money to children of post-9/11 veterans who died on active duty, or have a combined VA disability rating of 50 percent or greaterseball Scholarship—In 2016, The American Legion awarded $22,000 in scholarships to deserving players. Each Department Baseball Committee may select a player from their Department to receive this scholarship. The American Legion will award several scholarships this year depending on the number of applicants and interest earned from the trust fund.

  • National High School Oratorical Contest Scholarship—Scholarships are awarded to the three finalists of the oratorical contest. First place receives $18,000, second gets $16,000 and third takes $14,000. Each individual state winner certified into and participating in the first round of the national contest receives a $1,500 scholarship. Each first-round winner who advances but does not qualify for the finals receives an additional $1,500 scholarship. Scholarships may be used to attend any college or university in the United States.

  • Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship—The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year will receive a $10,000 scholarship. Three runner-up scholarship awards will be granted in the amount of $2,500 each. Scholarship recipients will be eligible to receive their scholarship immediately upon graduation from high school (public, parochial, military, private, or home school) and must utilize the total award within four (4) years of their graduation date, excluding active military duty or religious mission. Additionally, the American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year will join the Youth Champion Delegation that is honored each August at the annual National Convention of The American Legion.

  • Junior Shooting Sports Scholarship—The American Legion offers two scholarships to shooting sports champions:

    • Precision: Winner will receive $5,000 in college scholarships

    • Sporter: Winner will receive $5,000 in college scholarships

    The winners in both Precision and Sporter categories will receive an expense paid trip to The American Legion National Convention where they will be honored as part of the Youth Champions Delegation. This scholarship is provided in part by The American Legion and The Sons of the American Legion (SAL). Second place finishers in each category will each receive $1,000 in college scholarships generously provided by The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA). 

  Visit the American Legion Scholarships Site for Eligibility & Application Information