Civics Programs
- American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State are programs for teaching how government works while developing leadership skills and an appreciation for your rights as a citizen. As a participant in the program you, will run for office, learn public speaking, create and enforce laws and actively participate in all phases of creating and running a working government in this exciting and fun summer program.
- You'll meet other students from across your state.
- You'll develop confidence and leadership skills.
- Many states offer scholarships or admission preference for attendees of Boys or Girls State.
- Virginia Capital Semester offers qualified college and university students the opportunity to experience an internship in the state government while continuing their studies on a full-time basis through course work at Virginia Commonwealth University. Internships are arranged with the legislative and executive branches of Virginia government, and with the advocacy and lobbying organizations associated with Virginia government.
- The select group of students participating in the Virginia Capital Semester will assemble weekly in a policy-making seminar to hear from key leaders at the Capitol and to compare experiences from their various internship placements. Students will receive three credits for the internship, along with a $1,000 stipend, and three credits for the seminar. In addition, students may take six to nine additional credits from VCU's wide selection of courses. Along with living and learning in Virginia's capital city, Virginia Capital Semester students also take part in special events and receive individual advising and housing through VCU.
- We the People: Project Citizen is a curricular program for middle, secondary, and post-secondary students, youth organizations, and adult groups that promotes competent and responsible participation in local and state government. The program helps participants learn how to monitor and influence public policy. In the process, they develop support for democratic values and principles, tolerance, and feelings of political efficacy.
- The Model General Assembly program is designed to introduce high school students to the legislative process of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Legislation is debated in committees and on the floors of the Senate and House of Delegates.
- Students in grades 9-12 may attend, with limited roles for 9th graders.
- Participants can assume the roles of senator, delegate, officer, lobbyist, reporter, or underclassmen legislator.
- The primary goal of We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is to promote civic competence and responsibility among the nation's upper elementary and secondary students. The design of the instructional program, including the culminating activity, makes the program successful with both teachers and students. The program enjoys the active participation of members of Congress, as well as support from State Bar Associations and Foundations, and other educational, professional, business, and community organizations across the nation. Since the inception of the We the People program in 1987, more than 30 million students and 90,000 educators have participated in this course of study.