Texas Boys State

What Texas Boys State does

Texas Boys State is a week-long residential civic education program operated by the American Legion, Department of Texas, that simulates government operations for rising high school senior males at the University of Texas at Austin. Founded in 1940 by authority of the 1939 Department Convention in Waco (the national Boys State concept originated in Illinois in 1934), the program has grown from 108 delegates in its first session to serving over 1,100 annually against a UT-Austin capacity of 1,200, making it the largest Boys State program in the nation. Delegates are organized into two fictional, non-partisan parties (Nationalists and Federalists) and run simulated local, county, and state governments through elections, legislative sessions, party conventions, and court proceedings, using an experiential 'Learn by Doing' model.

Name

Texas Boys State

Legal name

Texas Boys State

Website

https://texasboysstate.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Texas Boys State is a week-long residential civic education program for rising high school senior males at UT-Austin, administered by the American Legion Department of Texas since 1940. It simulates state and local government for over 1,100 delegates annually, the largest Boys State program in the nation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Education Programs

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education (EDAAAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership) (EDAAADAL)

Keywords

• Civic education programs
• Youth leadership development
• Government simulation
• Boys State program
• American Legion education

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Delegate Tuition: The primary revenue stream is a $400 tuition fee charged per delegate (Statesman). Payments are primarily collected through the online application process. Sponsoring American Legion Posts or other community organizations typically pay this fee on behalf of delegates, reducing cost barriers for participants.
2. Merchandise Sales: Texas Boys State operates a merchandise store selling memorabilia items including t-shirts, graduation cords, slingback backpacks, water bottles, and baseball caps, with prices ranging from $5-$20 each. An included t-shirt is bundled with registration; additional shirts are available at $10 each, with a recommended 5-pack bundle for $50. A general store on campus also sells snacks and beverages during designated hours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Texas Boys State operates a week-long residential civic education program for rising high school senior males, held annually at the University of Texas at Austin. Participants run simulated local, county, and state governments, including legislative sessions, elections, and political party organization through an experiential "Learn by Doing" model. The program operates with up to 1,200 delegates annually and is administered by the American Legion, Department of Texas.

Product overview

Texas Boys State operates as a single unified educational program—a week-long residential civic leadership program for high school seniors held at UT-Austin. The program functions as a simulated government where participants operate city, county, and state governments through elected positions, legislative sessions, and party conventions. Related offerings include the Boys Nation program (national extension in Washington DC), three scholarship programs (F.C. 'Mac' McConnell, Samsung American Legion, and Senior Counselor Memorial), and a merchandise store for program memorabilia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Texas Boys State Program A week-long residential civic education program for high school senior males held at UT-Austin, where participants learn government structure through hands-on operation of simulated local, county, and state governments, including legislative sessions, elections, and political party organization.
• Boys Nation Program A national week-long government training program in Washington DC where two outstanding Texas Boys State delegates represent Texas as Boys Nation Senators, participating in federal government simulation, visiting Capitol Hill, federal agencies, Arlington National Cemetery, and the White House.
• F.C. 'Mac' McConnell American Legion Boys State Scholarship Annual scholarship awarded to one outstanding Boys Stater per year, with award amount dependent on fund income. No application required; awarded based on program performance. Established to honor F.C. 'Mac' McConnell's contributions to the Boys State program.
• Samsung American Legion Scholarship Scholarship restricted to high school juniors who complete a Boys State program. Highly selective with 1 Texas winner and 1 national winner per year. Online application required. Scoring algorithm gives enhanced weight to direct descendants of Korean War Veterans.
• Senior Counselor Memorial Scholarship Scholarship fund established in memory of Boys State counselors who passed away after more than a decade of service, with multiple awards per year. Award size depends on fund income. No application required; awarded by senior staff to top-performing Boys Staters.
• Texas Boys State Merchandise Store Online merchandise store selling program memorabilia including t-shirts, graduation cords, slingback backpacks, water bottles, and baseball caps, with prices ranging from $5-$20 each. A bundled t-shirt is included with registration; additional shirts available at $10 each, with a recommended 5-pack bundle for $50.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,100 delegates annually (up to 1,200 capacity)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The University of Texas at AustincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1939UT-Austin provides the primary venue for the Texas Boys State program, including dormitory accommodations (Kinsolving Dormitory, 2605 Whitis Ave), dining facilities, and campus meeting spaces. The program describes receiving 'the finest facilities' and 'red-carpet treatment' from UT-Austin. UT-Austin also provides access to the Texas State Capitol and coordinates visits with state officials. The Director of Admissions at UT-Austin has provided testimonials praising the program.
• The American Legion, Department of TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Legion, Department of Texas is the parent organization administering Texas Boys State. It provides the organizational infrastructure, volunteer staff, and administrative support (including mailing address at P.O. Box 140527, Austin, TX 78714). The Legion's Americanism Committee established the program by authority of the 1939 Department Convention in Waco, with the first session held in 1940.
• American Legion Boys NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoys Nation is the national-level counterpart program held in Washington, DC each July. Two outstanding Texas Boys State delegates are selected to represent Texas at Boys Nation, where they caucus as 'Senators,' conduct hearings on bills, and visit federal agencies, Capitol Hill, Arlington National Cemetery, and the White House. The selection is based on exceptional performance during the Texas Boys State week.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mccrawcity
• Facebookfacebook.com/TXBoysState
• Instagraminstagram.com/texasboysstate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Texas Boys State