Do's ~ Don'ts ~ FAQ's

FAQ's ~ Do's & Don'ts

(References are to local time, Terre Haute, Indiana.)

Where will Hoosier Boys State be held? The program is hosted on the campus of Indiana State University largely between 3^rdand 7^th streets (east to west) and from about Chestnut Street south to Cherry Street in Terre Haute, Indiana. The four residence halls of the Sycamore Towers complex will house and feed our delegates and staff.

What are the dates of the 2009 session? HBS starts promptly at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 13^th and ends just before lunch on Saturday, June 20^st.

When will registration begin and end? Tables with alphabetical indicators will be ready to begin the registration process at 10:00 a.m., sharp on Saturday the 13^th. The stations will close at 1:00 p.m. Lunch is not provided for delegates and their escorts on Saturday, the day of arrival; but there is a food court nearby on campus on the east side of 5^th Street just north of the circular fountain. Other eateries can be found all along 3^rd Street (US Hwy 41) south of campus.

NOTE: Delegates must be on campus for the organizational meeting of their respective HBS "Cities" and "Counties." These meetings are very important as they literally kick-start the program. By the end of the meetings, around 3:30 p.m., Hoosier Boys' State is in full swing!

When is the first meal provided by HBS? Dinner is served for delegates from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. the first Saturday. Every day thereafter, all three meals are provided at no extra expense excepting for the last day when only breakfast will be provided.

What clothes should a I bring? First of all, you should bring enough clean clothes to last one week without having to do laundry. We recommend bringing a light jacket in case of rain or cool weather--classrooms are indoors. For the day's activities wearing comfortable clothing is a must: shorts, T-shirts, jeans, etc. Each student will receive a Hoosier Boys State T-shirt at registration at no additional cost. After the program starts, additional HBS T-shirts may be purchased from the HBS Business Office in Mills Hall Formal Lounge for a nominal price (usually under $10). Additionally, we highly recommend bringing athletic shoes and personal equipment like softball gloves, a tennis racquet (and other similar equipment) for those looking to take part in some of the recreational activities available on campus.

You are strongly urged to bring a dress shirt with appropriate slacks, a tie, and a sports jacket or suit. For the Friday night Memorial Service, Governor's Review, and Awards Ceremony you will wear your HBS T-shirt and dark pants. Additionally, delegates who are elected to the top six positions in the 51^st State Government, particularly the governor will want to wear a shirt and tie with a sport coat outfit or suit. As a matter of respect and uniformity, we expect delegates to wear dark pants (not blue jeans, etc.) for the Friday activities and Sunday morning services. For the evening assemblies, casual attire is quite acceptable. On the other hand, the daily classes and other activities, VERY CASUAL clothing is logically the "uniform of the day."

Should I bring anything else? Yes, bring a fan. The dorm rooms are not air-conditioned. Also, as it often turns cold without much warning in any given place or time in Indiana, you should bring a light-to-medium weight blanket. ISU does not provide bed linen. You will need to bring a twin-size sheet and one of the same size for a top cover. You might find that your favorite pillow and pillow case could be a welcome addition to your list. Maybe you might want to bring an alarm clock; although we WILL get you up every morning in time for your daily activities. Oh yes, one more thing: you might bring a quart-sized water bottle--you know like one used for hiking or bike riding. Hydration is very important. It sometimes becomes a problem for delegates who can't stand around one of the few water fountains on campus. Bringing a water bottle has an obvious benefit.

Please don't bring a lot of money! Meals are provided at no cost to you. Students are not allowed off campus; so items other than incidentals which can be obtained at the Commons complex just north of the big water fountain. Group pictures are provided without cost. You might want an HBS DVD to chronicle your week at Hoosier Boys' State. The cost is about $20 (or less?). Sometimes money is lost or misplaced--occasionally (rarely) it simply disappears. We recommend that you bring no more than $50.

If I drive to Boys State, is there a place where I can park my car? First of all, PLEASE DON'T DRIVE? But, yes--delegates may park in a lot near the residence halls that is patrolled regularly by campus police. However, you will NOT have access to your car during the week. You must register your car when you check in with your city counselor on Saturday, the 14^th. Parking on the campus is at your own risk. Please understand: if you bring a car that is not registered with the HBS office through your counselor, campus police may tow it to an impound lot--that is expensive AND inconvenient to say the least. Even if your car is only ticketed, fines are not nominal! The Hoosier Boys State program is not responsible for damage to your car. Again, You are strongly urged not to drive. You will be very tired, even virtually exhausted by Saturday morning at the end of the program--largely from not getting much sleep during the week. Some of the legion posts provide a van and a driver to help their delegates get to ISU--and back home safely.

PLEASE DON'T DRIVE!

What will I need to do if I have to leave before the conclusion of the Awards Ceremony Friday evening? Contact your sponsoring American Legion Post and your district's enrollment chairman at least a week before Hoosier Boys' State begins so that an alternate can go in your place. If you cannot attend the ENTIRE program through the Friday Awards Ceremony, you should relinquish your invitation and let another student take your place. Your local American Legion Post has paid your enrollment fees so that you may attend Boys State at no cost. The sponsoring Post deserves its money's worth. More importantly, you will not receive the full benefits of the program. Most importantly, you will be a part of a TEAM, the city and county to which you will be assigned. For you to leave early will put your fellow citizens at a disadvantage--tantamount to cheating them of their just due. For example, imagine in your hometown a citizen runs successfully for mayor only to move away as soon as s/he is elected. The faith and trust the voters placed in her or him to serve has been broken. It's a very simple ethics issue! If you accept the invitation to attend HBS, you have a duty to stay with the program the entire week!

Nevertheless, emergencies do present themselves through no control of your own, and we understand that. If during the week a family emergency arises, your parents or legal guardians can contact the Hoosier Boys State office in Mills Hall at 812-237-8121 and arrange for your prompt departure.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I may have to arrive after the registration line is closed. What should I do?

As soon as you know you will be arriving late, contact the Hoosier Boys State office in Indianapolis at (317) 630-1264 with the particulars of that information. With almost no exception, taking the SAT or the ACT is the only acceptable reason for late arrivals. On the other hand, if such other situation should arise the day of the program (Saturday, June 13^th) the number to call in Terre Haute is 812-237-8121. Once you arrive on campus, come to the Hoosier Boys State Business Office in Mills Hall to register. You are strongly urged to arrive on time. The program is well underway by 1:30 p.m. on the very first day. Arriving after that time may jeopardize your opportunity for a successful participation. If you cannot arrive by or before 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, the 14^th, you should relinquish your invitation and contact the district enrollment chairman for your area, your host American legion post, and your alternate delegate if you know him.

I want to play in the marching band. If I bring my own instrument, is there a place where it can be stored safely? Yes, a locked room will be provided in Rhoads Hall for secure storage of band instruments. However, Boys State assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged instruments.

What types of sports will be offered during the week?

There is an organized softball tournament and a tug-of-war. Also, delegates have access to tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pool, weight room, and a running track. While we do offer leisure time for recreational and athletic-type activities, you should not expect to participate in any organized sports. Our program is not a training camp, it is an exercise in politics and government--democracy in action.

When can we be dismissed from the program? Saturday morning as soon as your city counselor gets you checked out (around 9:00 a.m.), usually is the earliest opportunity to check out and go home. Breakfast is served usually from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. In this case, it's the "early bird that gets the worm."

Delegates whose parents, guardian, or other pre-qualified adult attends the Friday night Awards Ceremony may be dismissed after the ceremony to return home; however, delegates will not be authorized to leave with other delegates who have driven to campus without prior arrangements having been made with their respective parents or guardians. Please fill out the Request to Leave Early Form in order for your counselor can account for your early departure. Generally, the Friday Awards Ceremony is over by 9:00 p.m.--or so! Those delegates who remain after the program Friday night often have a pizza party and watch movies. As stated above, all remaining delegates are dismissed Saturday morning after breakfast.

We encourage our citizens' parents, guardians, or other responsible adults wishing to observe our Friday evening Memorial Program, Governor's Review, and Awards Ceremony to arrive between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in order to secure adequate parking space. The program starts at 6:00 p.m.

Early Dismissal Slip: (copy and print)

REQUEST TO LEAVE FRIDAY EVENING

Date

Name Hometown

Did you drive? Others leaving with you?

Leaving after Friday night ceremony? __ Parents picking you up ___ Driving yourself ____

Reason for leaving

Daytime Telephone

Parent’s Signature

City Counselor’s Signature

Delegates City Room

HBS Director’s Signature

*** COUNSELORS PLEASE LEAVE IN DIRECTOR’S MAILBOX ***

HBS-36

Can I leave the ISU campus during the week? No. With over 700 delegates, off campus travel is restricted to emergencies and pre-arranged events--and only after the director's permission has been given.

How much "REAL" money do I need to bring? We suggest no more than $50. All your meals are covered. Your most important purchase will be the new DVD being filmed during your week at Hoosier Boys State. The cost of the DVD is $20 or less. Any extra money would be used to purchase snacks at the candy and pop machines in the residence halls and for any souvenirs you might want to purchase at the Commons just north of the large water fountain. We are not responsible for lost or stolen articles or money.

My friends and I are coming to Boys State. What are the chances of us rooming together? None! Our personnel assignment computer program makes it virtually impossible for any two citizens from the same high school to be placed in the same room. One of the major benefits of the HBS program is the opportunity to meet new people and learn about the diversity of people in our state. We want you to expand your network of contacts. Otherwise, room assignments are determined by random computer housing assignments.

I am diabetic. Is that a problem? No. Provisions will be made for you to keep any medications you need for your diabetes close at hand. A diabetic delegate should inform his counselor and the HBS office staff of any special dietary needs or special accommodations needed immediately upon arrival. The university health clinic facility is just a short block or so from the dormitories in which the delegates will be staying should an emergency situation arise, and a hospital is also close to campus.

I assume alcohol and drug use are not allowed at Boys State. A good assumption. Non-prescription drugs are prohibited by state law. But in case you were wondering, if you are caught in possession of, or using alcohol or drugs, you will be sent home immediately. If the police are involved, you could be subjected to arrest and processing. Additionally, we will contact your sponsor and high school and explain why you are being sent home and why the fees will not be refunded. HBS is a "0" tolerance program. Use of tobacco products is also prohibited.