By Cole Klassen

What if I told you there was a place where boys and girls run the government? No, this isn’t Lord of the Flies 2.0, it’s Boys and Girls State, a summer program that takes place across the nation.

Now, the Boys and Girls States are separate, but they are roughly the same thing. At these programs, a mythical State is created, split into cities and counties and the participates run for public office, trying to manage the State successfully.

In Arizona, Boys and Girls State takes place at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, making it the perfect opportunity to cool off. If you still need more convincing, here are the words of Genevieve Gaylor and Jacob Matsumoto, who participated in it over the summer. Genevieve said, “My experience at Girls State was amazing. I met a lot of new friends. Everyone was very friendly and cheered each other on and I gained a better understanding of my government and a newfound love for my country.”

Jacob describes his experience as “Incredible. I was elected to my city council and State senate, made some incredible friends and just had a ton of fun. It definitely taught me more about leadership and government.”

Boys and Girls State allows people to learn more about their government, but what if you aren’t really interested in the Arizona government? “I think it is an incredible opportunity everyone should apply for even if you have no interest in politics,” says Jacob, “because they give speeches on many different career paths and about our country as a whole. It is a once in a lifetime experience and it’s a week you’re never going to forget.”

Genevieve agrees: “It is a great learning experience and you have a great opportunity to demonstrate leadership.”

So, c’mon, carve out some time in your busy summers and give Girls and Boys State a try. You can talk to Mrs. Moffitt for more information, or find anyone who has previously attended.