A letter from the Secretary-Treasurer
I welcome you to Boys State 2008. I feel sure that you will find Boys State
to be one of the finest and most rewarding experiences of your life. Boys
State is well rounded with both work and play. There will be time for fun
and times to be serious. You will make lasting friendships with other young
men of our state and, most importantly, you will have an opportunity to run the
city, county, and state governments for one week. Leading figures in South
Carolina and national political circles will be guest speakers. You and your
fellow citizens will elect officers for each unit of government and these, in turn,
will actually serve in the capacities to which they are elected. One of you
will be elected to the high office of Governor of Palmetto Boys State.
Registration for PBS 2008 is Sunday, June 8, from 9:30 AM until 12:00 noon.
Please let me emphasize that registration MUST be completed promptly at that time.
The earlier you arrive at Boys State the more time you will have to unpack and prepar
for the first assembly.
Your expenses to Boys State are paid with two exceptions. You will need to
bring TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS in cash to pay for your registration. You will also
need to bring another FORTY DOLLARS in cash as a room deposit fee. Your room
and suite will be checked prior to your departure on June 14, and, if it is in order,
your forty dollars will be returned to you.
Upon your arrival you will be given two assignments: (1) a political party
(either the Nationalist or the Federalist) and (2) a city. The political parties
will guide the week's campaigns and elections. You will live in your "city"
for the week. You will be assigned a room prior to your arrival. There
will be four citizens in each suite, each with a private bedroom. The week
will be filled with elections, campaigns, lectures, instructional periods, academic
events, field trips, and many "bull" sessions.
All of this will climax with the election of a governor and other state officials
on Friday. We will join Palmetto Girls State on the steps of the state capitol
for the inauguration of the Governors and other state officials. Boys State
will be joined by Girls State for lunch on the University of South Carolina's horseshoe.
Friday night is a fun night, the Governor's Banquet and a citizen's talent show.
Please be in touch with me if you have any questions concerning Boys State.
My e-mail address is: drsink@charter.net,
telephone number is (864) 375-1474, and FAX is (864) 226-3124.
Boys State is perhaps the most exciting one week in your life. I hope that
you will be chosen to come and experience this special week.
Sinclair Lewis, Secretary-Treasurer, Palmetto Boys State