Welcome to Boys Nation 2022
The first day of American Legion Boys Nation each year is punctuated by bursts of activity — groups of senators representing Boys State programs nationwide checking into Boys Nation; the four sections meeting to hear from their counselors on what to expect from their “week that shapes a lifetime”; the two political parties, the Federalists and the Nationalists, gathering to start finding their party’s agenda.
But even in the midst of all that activity, there’s still time for ice cream.
‘Welcome to Washington, Mr. Senator’
While the majority of the 98 Boys Nation senators flew to Washington, D.C., from their home states, others arrived on Friday courtesy of their families driving them to Marymount University.
That’s how the first two senators arrived, with Matthew Meyer, representing D.C. Boys State, and Jason Olson II (Mississippi Boys State) getting to campus late Friday morning.
Not far behind them — but likely traveling the farthest distance to Boys Nation — was Shinwoo “David” Lee (Indiana Boys State), who was on vacation in South Korea and flew from there to D.C.
As he checked in, Lee acknowledged he had a bit of jet lag.
But most of the senators arrive on campus in groups, bused from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Marymount University, home of Boys Nation since 1986.
The bus ride and the check-in process give the senators the chance to start forming the friendships that will last for years to come — and maybe a little campaigning for office as well.
“I hope to be president of Boys Nation,” said Hank Word (Missouri Boys State). “But I also hope to get some lifelong friends, get connections, and just get a better understanding of what our government’s all about.”
The senators will elect a president pro tempore and secretary of the Senate on Saturday, with the presidential and vice presidential elections coming Tuesday.
After checking in and unpacking — at least for those who arrived early enough in the day — the senators gathered in their sections: Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Washington. Then it was off to an ice cream social before their first party meetings.
Follow the happenings at American Legion Boys Nation at legion.org/boysnation, on YouTube at americanlegionHQ, and on social media on Twitter (@ALBoysNation) and Instagram (@theamericanlegion) with the hashtag #BoysNation2022.
