Wondering what you’ll be having for meals at Boys State?

Breakfast – Typically, eggs (usually scrambled), sausage or bacon, pancakes or french toast, and usually hashbrowns.  There are also a handful of cold cereal choices, along with a fresh fruit bar, usually with some kind of yogurt option.   Coffee, tea, milk, orange juice.

Lunch -  Usually some type of sandwich, burger or  pizza, along with a vegetable or french fries.   There is always a pasta alternative available (at dinner also).    You will also find a well-stocked salad bar, and have the option of cake or cookies for dessert.   Soda, milk, juice, punch, coffee tea to drink.

Dinner – Much like lunch, there is a pasta option.   Dinner meals are range from chicken, roast beef, fish, with a vegetable or two.   The salad bar and dessert options are the same as lunch, as are drinks.

If you have specific dietary needs, it’s nothing Stonehill food services has not addressed in the past.  They are really good about helping us with any particular food issues.

As you pack for Boys State, a couple of suggestions:

PERSONAL ITEMS

• Bedding articles including sheets, blanket, pillow or sleeping bag.

• Clothing for a week including pajamas, shorts, long casual pants, sweatshirt, a few t-shirts, underwear and socks. You will be given two white Boys State t-shirts, and a third t-shirt for team sports during recreation period. You’ll spend most of your time in one of these three shirts.

• Bathroom articles including shower shoes, towel, soap, and shampoo. The author of this post finds it convenient to bring that bodywash-shampoo that comes all in one bottle. I don’t have the patience to carry two things when one will do.

• A suit or sports coat with dress pants, shirt, and a tie. (proper attire is required for one evening assembly). Keep in mind also that right after the event where you’ll be wearing your proper dress, there will be a dance. Just sayin’.

• Sneakers and dress shoes. Those are two different things.

• Braces, athletic equipment, instrument if you are interested in taking part in these activities. Instruments will be safely locked in the music room, so please bring what you’ve got and style it with the band.

• A small clock radio or watch. You’ll have a bang on your door to wake you up. If you prefer to beat the pain of a 6:00 am hammering at your door, bring an alarm clock. Also, some of the counselors do run in the morning, and if you can wake earlier, you’re free to join, but not embarrass, them.

• Pens, paper, and materials for campaign signs and posters.

• A small amount of money for washing and vending machines. Many Boys Staters like to bring a case of water or soda. There’s no refrigeration in your room, but it beats feeding $1.25 into the soda machine every night.  Also, you will be able to purchase Boys State athletic shorts, if you like.

• Many counselors bring small fans. Some of the dorms are air-conditioned; some are not.

We ask that you not bring expensive jewelry or other expensive electronic items. Stonehill College cannot be held responsible for the loss of personal property. No cell phones, PDA’s, audio players, and other electronics will be permitted in classrooms or lectures.

FORMS TO BRING

You will need your yellow medical card, which must be completed by a physician within 30 days of the program. Additionally there is a medical release form that must be signed and completed by the parent or guardian for each participant. Please bring both of these forms with you to registration on Saturday morning, June 11th. It is essential that we have these forms completed to authorize the Boys State Nurse or a hospital to initiate medical care in the event of an emergency. Participants who arrive without these two important documents will not be allowed to attend the Massachusetts Boys State Program. In preparation for the program, you should review information on our website and a description of our website resources is included with this application packet.

For those students who are interested in running for positions in the House of Representatives or the Senate, you should review information on bill drafting and you may want to come prepared with a proposed bill to present before the legislature. Lastly, you will also find on the website an application for The Samsung American Legion Scholarship. This scholarship toward college education is offered to one student at Boys State each year, and if you should wish to apply you will compete with Boys Staters from all over the country for this prestigious scholarship.

If you have any other questions, please ask.   There are staff members on Twitter and our Facebook Group constantly, and they are more th