My oldest (HS senior) did a 1-week residential Boys State program this summer. Boys/Girls State is run by the American Legion, and it focuses on leadership/civics. He thought it was really interesting, and I loved it b/c it was well run and cost me nothing. Some of the kids went on to Boys Nation.
I believe the Boys or Girls State programs are run by local offices of the American Legion, and they may vary a little by state. We didn't know much about it until our son was nominated, but they are worth looking into.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boys/G...0junior%20year.
Tara
living a crazy life with 3 boys
I am thinking now
of grief, and of getting past it;
I feel my boots
trying to leave the ground,
I feel my heart
pumping hard. I want
to think again of dangerous and noble things.
I want to be light and frolicsome.
I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing,
as though I had wings.
~Mary Oliver