American Legion Buckeye Boys State participants were back on campus this week, marking the 10th year at Miami University.

Nearly 1,200 students participating in Buckeye Boys State (BBS) arrived Sunday. The program is an eight-day, hands-on experience in the operation of the democratic form of government, the organization of political parties, and the relationship of one to the other in shaping Ohio government.

“We have been at Miami for the last 10 years, starting in 2017,” said John Vrzal, public relations counselor for Buckeye Boys State. “This will be our ninth program on campus as we did not hold the American Legion Buckeye Boys State program in 2020,” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summer is a busy time for Miami’s campus with numerous events, including athletic camps and academic programs, as well as various conferences. Next month, the campus will host two conferences, the International Double Reed Society and CALICO (Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium).

Vrzal said the Buckeye Boys State experience on the Oxford campus has been “second to none.”

The program has been held in many places over the years from temporary venues and disused barracks at the Ohio State Fairgrounds and Camp Perry to other Ohio universities, including Ohio Wesleyan and Bowling Green State University.

It was held at Miami University in 1946 for a single year, following a 1945 break in the program due to World War II.

Vrzal said the best part of hosting the BBS program on campus is the partnership with Miami staff.

“Everyone we come into contact with from Conference Services, HDRBS (Housing, Dining, Recreation, and Business Services), the Physical Facilities team, the academic buildings team, as well as the arena audio/visual team — they are all excited to be a part of Buckeye Boys State and do their best to help us put on the premier Boys State program in the country.”

Miami University President Gregory Crawford has been “a main driver for making sure we feel welcome,” he said, adding it’s clear how much he supports the program and its mission to help foster the next generation of leaders.

President Crawford is the first university president in program history to participate in the program, Vrzal said.

“He has partnered with our senior leadership and the State Government section to create the Buckeye Boys State University President position,” he said. “Dr. Crawford has been instrumental in crafting this entirely new experience for our delegates, and we are very excited to have his decades of experience as a part of our team.”

President Crawford will be directly mentoring delegates and providing a hands-on experience in the organization and operation of managing a university and how a university president can be an influence in all levels of government.

“More importantly, Dr. Crawford will be helping the delegates learn what it means to be good leaders and good citizens through example and mentorship,”Vrzal said.