The American Legion’s Boys State programs have fortunately not had to face a major critical incident.
But given the nature of the world today, it’s important for each program to have a critical incident plan in place — not only to keep individual Boys State programs safe but to ensure that the program nationwide is not left flat-footed if something does happen.
“If something happens in the smallest (Boys State) program … within hours, the media will be at our doorsteps (elsewhere),” Tim Aboudara, chief counselor at California Boys State, said Saturday at the Boys State Directors Conference in Indianapolis.
While conceding that it’s impossible to be completely prepared for every eventuality, Rice said, “If we know what our potential risks are and we plan for them, we’re able to minimize the impact on any of the campuses or locations where we’re going to be.” He showed a map of the Sacramento campus, which is bordered by the American River, a potential flooding risk, and train tracks. And he noted that, with many Boys State programs taking place on college campuses in May and June, there are opportunities for potential crises in the form of protests or other demonstrations.
He also emphasized the difference between disasters, such as fires and earthquakes, and crises such as shootings and attempted suicides.
And it’s critical to be aware of how teens react to their changing lives, which can serve as stressors and create crises.
It’s also important to consider the impact social media can have on the perception of how a Boys State program handles a crisis, Aboudara said.
Louisiana Boys State operations manager Micah Scott also addressed disaster preparation by presenting on his program’s citizen disaster management activity. A scenario takes place in which a hurricane is headed toward the state, forcing the Boys State citizens to prepare for the storm and deal with its aftermath.
Other presentations by Boys State departments at the conference included Missouri on the importance of data and information management; Louisiana on providing an immersive educational curriculum; Kentucky on using awards and recognition to boost the morale of volunteers and alumni; South Carolina on ensuring a diverse and inclusive Boys State delegation; and Wisconsin on training and transitioning staff.