As we all know, Boys State requires lots of preparation from all staffers and counselors, but as citizens, we tend to overlook their efforts. Yesterday, I spoke to some of our counselors and staff about all the work that they have put in this year to make sure Boys State runs smoothly. I got a great perspective on all their hard work and how much time goes into putting this on.
When I spoke with PC Kief, he described the preparation for Boys State as an eleven-month and three-week process. On the counselor end, this preparation looks like counselor engagement, reaching out to citizens before the program, making sure they understand the procedures and processes of Louisiana Boys State, as well as Louisiana’s government. Once this session ends, the staff begins preparing for next year’s sessions, getting the logistics in order, and scouting future applicants for Boys State. Many counselors are certified to work as substitute teachers, and much of the scouting for future applicants comes from counselors meeting students while subbing. According to PC Henry, there are certain guidelines and a certain amount of depth that students cannot come to without someone ready to back them up. Boys State is a year-round process; they are constantly working on their craft and trying to make it better for next year’s citizens.
One week out from Boys State, once all the logistics and preparation have concluded, the counselors and staffers come to the campus a week before and do a dry run called Boys State Jr., a week-long session for the counselors where they simulate the entire program to work out any bugs. While I was talking to SC Terro, he stated that they have been living here for about a month to help work out any bugs and get all the logistics and backrooms in order. As SA Nathan put it, there are a ton of spreadsheets; everything that you see from the signs to the pamphlets has been prepared and accounted for weeks ahead of time. Everything that happens has likely been simulated or prepared for at Boys State Jr., or before that, in the logistics and preparation phase.
While the front end of the operation may get most of the attention, the most important part of the function of Boys State is the backend. According to SC Terro, for the front work to happen, the back rooms need to be rocking and rolling; they are crucial to the overall function of the program. So much goes into this; it is constant preparation and constant work to make sure it all flows and runs smoothly.
This article started by saying citizens overlook the work, and that is exactly how the counselors and staff want it. When Boys State runs the way it should, the eleven months and three weeks behind it never show.