Badger Boys State

Badger Boys State is a weeklong program for high school students between their junior and senior years who are entering their senior year of high school next fall and are from a Wisconsin high school or are home-schooled within the state. Participants create city, county, and state level governments and govern throughout the session.

Programs

• Badger Boys State — high school students between their junior and senior years; students must be entering their senior year of high school next fall and be from a Wisconsin high school or be home-schooled within the state · weeklong; upcoming June session runs June 13-19, 2027

At a glance

• Ages: 16–18 years old
• Current session: June 13-19, 2027 session at University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire (Jun 13–Jun 19, 2027)
• General schedule: weeklong program; participants arrive and take part in a session where they create city, county, and state level governments and govern throughout the session

About the provider

Badger Boys State educates young leaders on how to become more impactful community members of Wisconsin. The program describes itself as "A program to change a lifetime" and "A Week to Change a Lifetime." The 2023 session was the 80th incarnation of the program in Wisconsin, and the upcoming June session will be the 83rd session.

Not discriminatory on the basis of age, race, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, handicap, creed, color, political affiliation, ancestry, or membership in the National Guard, state defense force, or any other reserve component of the military forces of the United States or Wisconsin. All participants are sponsored. The program is 100% funded by donations.

What families say

“They say it's a life-changing experience, and every single attendee we spoke with couldn't agree more. Civics and companionship are two components of this weeklong gathering. They learn how our government works and the value of being involved.” — CBS 58 News

Last updated November 4, 2026.