Badger Boys State - Sponsor Information

The Role Sponsorship Plays

Each participant or “citizen” who is selected to attend Badger Boys State is sponsored by an organization or individual. Sponsors define the selection process for and provide the financial support for the citizen to attend the week long session covering food, lodging and all other aspects of the program†. Once at Ripon for the session, a citizen’s week is completely covered by the sponsorship. This removes the financial burden from the family of the young men selected and is one of many ways Badger Boys State works to provide equal opportunities to attendees of the program.

Organizations that chose to sponsor a young man to Badger Boys State provide them with an opportunity that could impact his life in many positive ways. The setting, schedule, staff, guest speakers and perhaps most importantly the citizens themselves gathered for a common purpose prove to be a powerful combination and unique experience. The program attracts some of the very best young men from Wisconsin. Following years of consistently positive results it is common for colleges, universities, military academies and often employers to view participation as a sign of a successful future for those that have attended and completed the program.

Although Badger Boys State has been thankful for the level of sponsorship in the past, we are always working to increase the number of organizations supporting the program. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact us using the contact information noted below. The sponsorship fee for a BBS citizen is $235 for the entire week. Requests to become a sponsor for the upcoming year’s session must be coordinated by January with our headquarters.

† It should be noted that transportation to and from Ripon for the program is not provided by Badger Boys State and is the responsibility of either the sponsor, parents/guardians, or their high school. For this reason, sponsors should consider travel arrangements when choosing to sponsor a young man to the program.

How to Become a Sponsor

The list below contains organizations that frequently sponsor young men to BBS, however, sponsorship is NOT limited to this list alone. The list is provided merely to provide examples.

American Legion Posts	Chambers of Commerce	Eagles
Fire Departments	Kiwanis Clubs	A.F.L.-C.I.O
High Schools	The 40 and 8	Knights of Columbus
Manufacturer's Associations	Commercial Clubs	Booster Clubs
Civic Leagues	American Legion Auxiliary Units	Sojourners
Business Men's Associations	Rotary Clubs	Merchants Associations
Women's Clubs	Elks Clubs	Ex-Servicemen's Clubs
Lutheran Brotherhoods	Lions Clubs	Optimist Clubs
Veterans of Foreign Wars	Local Banks

If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring a young man to this program,
please contact Badger Boys State at the following address or email us at adjutant@wilegion.org:

Executive Secretary
Badger Boys State, Inc.
P.O. Box 388
Portage, WI 53901-0388

What to Expect as a Sponsor

Once sponsorship is arranged through BBS headquarters, the sponsor will receive an allotment or number of young men for which the sponsor will provide. The sponsor will receive information from BBS for each of their allotment and the sponsor will then coordinate with the local high school or otherwise make arrangements for selection of the candidates to sponsor from their community. Any sponsor not using its full allotment by January 31 will have it reassigned to another eligible sponsoring organization.

Any organization desiring to sponsor additional boys beyond their current allotment should make a written request to Badger Boys State. Such applications will be filled in the order received. If no additional spots are available, those requesting additional will be considered when allotments are reassigned for the following year.

Click here to download a presentation intended to aid the chairperson in your organization as they work with BBS HQ regarding your sponsored participants.

BBS Chairman's Guide

520KB

Fees, Registration and Deadlines

The fee of $235 per participant will cover the entire cost of the eight day program, including meals.

December 1 to January 31	The registration cards will be forwarded to sponsors or Post Chairmen as fees are received in full for the number of boys to be sponsored.
Before January 31	By this date, organizations contemplating sponsorship are required to forward a check for fees to BBS. If this is not done by this date the maximum enrollment may be reached limiting a sponsors opportunity to sponsor the number desired for the coming session.
February 28	After this date any remaining allotments or sponsorship slots will be assigned to looking to sponsor more participants — this is handled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Before March 31	Online registration should be completed by the parent/guardian per the registration card instructions. The registration card should be kept by the family to be brought to Ripon and handed in during check-in on the first day in Ripon.
Before March 31	If a sponsor cannot find a suitable candidate that can attend BBS in the sponsorship slot for which they have already paid, a refund request must be made by this date or the sponsorship fee cannot be refunded. There are no exceptions.

Checks And Correspondence

Make all checks payable to:
Badger Boys State, Inc.

Mail all correspondence and payments to:
Executive Secretary, Badger Boys State, Inc.
P.O. Box 388, Portage, WI 53901-0388

The Board of Directors reserves the right to accept or reject any applicant for Badger Boys State as well as the
right to dismiss any member for violation of the rules, regardless of sponsorship, while Boys State is in progress.

Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of Badger Boys State, each participant is given a "Certificate of Attendance." This certificate is not complete until he has given you, the sponsor, a report of his experience. An officer of the sponsoring organization should then sign the last line of his certificate.

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