Why Should I Send my Daughter or Student?

For questions about the program or during the week please contact Dana Thoreson, Director of Girls State. Contact information can be found here. The emergency contact number for the week of Girls State is (701) 350-8206.

Our Goal

For the last several decades, the American Legion Auxiliary and the University of North Dakota have come together to bring thousands of young women preparing for their senior year in high school to the UND campus each June to participate in Flickertail Girls State. This mock-government program is designed to spark interest in the democratic process and to inspire participation in civic life. The goal of Girls State is to foster a sense of community in these young women and give them an opportunity to see how our government actually works. In light of our country's renewed spirit of public service, civic participation and political accountability, these lessons are more important and relevant than ever.

What Your Daughter/Student Get Out of this Program and How

Even though Girls State has been around for many years, the program has evolved in recent years to capture the ever-changing dynamics of the political process. The participants learn the purposes for each level of government – municipal, county and state – and how each impacts their lives. The program has always had the support of the UND academic community, but in recent years a number of new, young professors from UND's law school and political science department have played an even more prominent and important role in the program. Their involvement gives the Girls State participants what is likely their first experience sitting in a college class. The participants also have the opportunity to experience the political process at all levels of government by holding municipal, county and state-wide elections. Following the elections, the participants actually function in their new positions in mock city councils, district trial courts, county commissions, the state legislature, executive agencies, and the supreme court. They draft ordinances, debate bills, and hold trials, often times under the guidance of former girls state participants, elected officials and other volunteers who come to UND to make this a true hands-on learning experience. In addition to the mock political activities, participants can also sing and perform with the Girls State chorus or serve as a writer, editor or photographer for the Girls State newspaper.

Each year we feature a Women in Government Panel and invite present and former female elected officials from across North Dakota to speak to the participants about their own experiences. The participants also have the opportunity to engage in a question and answer period with these women who are truly political leaders and mentors. Our panelists graciously give advice for getting involved in civil life and share their experiences in running for office and participating in the governance of North Dakota.

Girls State participants also hold state political conventions, where they have the opportunity to draft, debate and adopt platforms and policies for their newly-formed political parties. After the political parties nominate their slates of candidates for state-wide office, we also hold a primary election and "whistle-stop" campaign for all the candidates.

A highlight of the week is the state-wide functioning after the announcement of the election results. The Governor and her cabinet prepare a budget and propose legislation; members of the House and Senate debate bills and consider the Governor's proposed budget; the Public Service Commission holds hearings on a variety of regulatory matters; and the Supreme Court hears cases prepared by Girls State participants acting as attorneys. During state-wide functioning, the Girl State citizens are fortunate to have the assistance of several women who are involved in various aspects of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government in North Dakota.

Lifetime Memories
If you happen to be a Girls State or Boys State alumni, then you may have a general understanding of what happens during our program. While continuing the proud tradition of Girls State, we believe it is even more relevant, motivational, educational, and fun than ever." Girls State would be a meaningful addition to any student's resume, but more importantly the experiences will stay with your daughters and students for a lifetime. The American Legion Auxiliary and the University of North Dakota also offer awards and college scholarships for outstanding participants. For all of these reasons, we ask you to encourage your daughter or students to attend this year's Flickertail Girls State and take the first step in the life-long journey of civic participation.