Who We Are

ALA Laurel Girls State/Girls Nation are non-partisan civics programs aimed at providing students, who are currently completing or have just completed their junior year in high school, with an intensive week of studying responsible citizenship, government, and leadership through experiential learning. Attendees spend the week self-governing their model municipalities by electing officials, debating bills, and solving community issues. At the end of the program, ALA Girls State aims to have citizens leave with a better understanding of local and state government. Those that participate in the program should feel prepared to become an active citizen within their communities.

The participants can be sponsored by an American Legion Post, American Legion Auxiliary Unit, their school, or any other organization or business within their community. The program is built on the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary’s foundation of Americanism and God and Country; in the spirit of service not self.
Mission Statement
The mission of ALA Laurel Girls State is to support the next generation of young leaders in finding and elevating their voices. This program supports their ability to both defend and question their views while using effective communication strategies in the face of ideological and political conflict. Through the study of local and state government, our citizens are empowered to gain the knowledge to be changemakers in their communities.

Vision Statement
ALA Laurel Girls State strives to build community and promote effective communication through our key values of diversity, empathy, bipartisanship, service, and leadership. We aspire to foster growth and understanding within America’s future leaders.

Why Participate?

  1. It’s a resume builder – should you attend for the full week.
  2. Be part of a more than 60 year tradition – sponsored by the largest women’s patriotic organization – The American Legion Auxiliary.
  3. Show off your talent during our annual revue!
  4. Famous people have attended.
  5. Opportunity to be chosen as a ALA Girls Nation Delegate to go to Washington, D.C. and represent ALA of Connecticut as a Senator – (and possibly meet the President!)
  6. Develop valuable skills – public speaking, debating, journalism, confidence builder, etc.
  7. Speakers are awesome – hear their motivating messages and put them to use.
  8. Opportunity to run your own city or town.
  9. Making new friends – for the week, for the summer and some for life-long.
  10. Be empowered by other enthusiastic, intelligent young women.

Principles of Girls State

​Citizenship

Each citizen at ALA Laurel Girls State will form a city or town with their fellow citizens. Elections will be held within those cities and towns and also on the state level. During the week they are presented with real world problems to be solved collectively with their fellow citizens to come up with solutions keeping the whole in mind.

Americanism

Each day is begun with a flag ceremony. Respects are paid to both the state and American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. Being sponsored by the American Legion Auxillary, the program takes to heart the ideals and values that our country was founded on.

Integrity

Every meeting, ceremony, presentation, and activity at ALA Laurel Girls State is approached with the utmost integrity in order to emphasize the importance of honesty, sincerity, and honor. These virtues are instilled in citizens when participating in the campaign process, heartfelt debates in classrooms, and challenging conversations between activities

Leadership

Citizens at ALA Laurel Girls State learn about the core principles of leadership while running for office, writing bills, advocating for their beliefs, and attending sessions about law, government, and social sciences. Campaigns and elections showcase some of the most successful leaders in the program, while academic conversations give them the foundation and confidence to lead with integrity in their communities back home.