The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, war-time veterans� organization, devoted to mutual helpfulness. It has 2.6 million members, men and women, in nearly 15,000 American Legion posts worldwide.

Americanism Programs
Please see below for information on the following American Legion youth programs:

 Evergreen Boys State http://evergreenboysstate.org/
American Legion Boys State is easily classified as a leadership action program where qualified male high school juniors take part in a practical government course designed to develop in the young citizens a working knowledge of the structure of government and to impress upon them the fact that government is just what they make it.

American Legion Baseball
Since 1925, The American Legion has sponsored a nationwide youth baseball program.  During these past eight decades, millions of young players have enjoyed playing baseball.  The American Legion and their 2.8 million members have raised millions of dollars each year for players to learn the importance of teamwork, discipline, leadership and good sportsmanship.  The American Legion sponsors American Legion Baseball to give players an opportunity to develop their skills, personal fitness, leadership qualities and to have fun.
State Website: NA
National Website: http://www.baseball.legion.org/

 Jr. Shooting Sports : http://www.legion.org/programs/youthprograms/shooting
It�s a three-part program that combines the Basic Marksmanship Course, Qualification Awards, and Air Rifle Competition. During the past decade of this program�s continued fast growth, thousands of male and female junior shooters have participated, with a perfect safety record of no reported gun-related injuries. Participants in The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program can be of any gender, through the age of 18. Handicapped youth are encouraged to participate.

Basic Marksmanship Course
The Basic Marksmanship Course is a comprehensive instruction package for the beginning shooter that has little or no marksmanship experience. The course insures understanding by the student and easy use by the instructor. Gun safety and marksmanship fundamentals are taught through a balanced mix of short lecture or discussion followed by hands-on activity. The package of instruction and support materials include:

• Instructor�s Guide: Detailed information for the instructor to teach the course. 

• Student Handbook: Now in its third edition, this popular handbook is a comprehensive reference text for beginning shooters, thoroughly covering the fundamentals of position shooting.

•  Learning Tools - Six quizzes and a final exam.

Qualification Awards
If an effective job is done presenting the Basic Marksmanship Course, most graduates will want to keep improving their marksmanship skills. The National Rifle Association and the Civilian Marksmanship Program provide MARKSMANSHIP QUALIFICATION COURSES for AIR RIFLE. These courses offer personal skill developments ladder where individual shooters work to achieve established performance standards. Marksmanship Qualification Courses offer family fun and enjoyment that can last a lifetime. Junior shooters may enroll in these programs upon graduation from the Basic Marksmanship Course. 

 Competitive Shooting
This is not a sport which gives an advantage to individuals of great size or strength. Physical fitness and stamina are important, but it is mental toughness and self-discipline, which determine success. Competitive shooting is also one of the few sports where men and women can compete as equals. It is truly a sport which is OPEN TO ANYONE willing to practice and to test his or her shooting skills on the firing line.

National Oratorical Contest http://www.waconstitutionalspeechcontest.org/
The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program - "A Constitutional Speech Contest" is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.

Scouting
Support for the Boy Scout movement came at The American Legion's first National Convention in 1919. Today, there are more than 2,500 Boy Scout units sponsored by Legion posts throughout the country. Supporting Boy Scout activities is natural for Legionnaires, who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to bear to help build character and positive traits in "Young America." Few other post activities generate more goodwill from the community.

The American Legion annually honors The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year at its National Convention. The winner of the competition receives an $10,000 scholarship and the three runners-up each are awarded $2,500 scholarships. Further information is available from department adjutants, or the Americanism and Children & Youth Division:

The American Legion
P.O. Box 1055.
Indianapolis, IN 46206