At the heart of the Oklahoma Boys State experience are the government simulations. These simulations occur at all levels of government, including the municipal level, where each city elects their own city council. The city council is responsible for adopting ordinances for the city, maintaining a balanced budget, and making many more decisions to maximize the city’s quality of life.
However, we all know what happens to “the best laid plans…” Each city council will encounter unique challenges requiring critical thinking to prioritize what is most important for their city. Each of these decisions will ultimately affect their budgets and make tangible impacts on city life. The issues raised and impacts of decisions made are very realistic in comparison to what happens in Oklahoma’s towns and cities. This is due, in so small part, to the efforts of the Oklahoma Municipal League, who helped create this simulation from the ground up specifically for OKBS!
Oklahoma Boys State prides itself on the values and leadership skills it teaches to the delegates throughout the week. Through this method of consequential decision making, it is our goal to send the delegates home with an appreciation for how government works, even at the local level.