Develop public speaking skills to open new doors!
Are there scholarships available?
Yes! You might be eligible for a scholarship JUST because you are attending Girls State! The Samsung Corporation (yes the one that made your TV, phone or tablet) has a scholarship for one delegate from each Girls and Boys State in the country. The winners at the state level are entered into a pool from all the Girls and Boys States for a larger scholarship. The Samsung Scholarship application must be completed online before arrival at Girls State.
Visit the Scholarship page for details about this and other scholarships that are available!
Junior Auxiliary Members may have special responsibilities.
Is there a dress code?
Yes! You will be provided 2 ALA VA Girls State t-shirts. Delegates will wear these shirts at all times paired with a solid bottom such as dress pants, skirts, cropped pants, or shorts with at least a 5 inch inseam.
Can I buy more shirts?
Yes! Dress code shirts are available in the Girls State store for $10.
What sort of shoes should I bring?
Bring shoes that are comfortable for walking as we are going to be walking all over campus all week. Flip flops don’t do well at Girls State because they tend to break by the 2nd or 3rd day! If you are bringing new shoes to Girls State, break them in beforehand by wearing them now. It will save your feet a few blisters. A lot of people wear their running shoes and trade them for dress shoes in assemblies.
Do we need to bring hangers?
Yes! Longwood doesn’t provide hangers, just the closet space.
What will be in my room at Girls State and will I have roommates?
Your dorm room at Girls State will have beds, dressers, desks and closet space. You will be sharing a room with 1-2 people and a bathroom with 2-5 other people.
Come prepared to learn and have new experiences!
What else should I bring?
You might want to bring a water bottle (32 oz. or less) to refill with water when you go to the dining hall. And although it’s hot outside in June, sometimes the dorms and auditorium are chilly, so bringing a blanket for the dorm and light sweater for the auditorium is a good idea! Read the complete packing list on this page.
Extra looong sheets? A basket for toiletries?
An item on the packing list is Twin XL (extra long) sheets. Most college dorms have Twin XL mattresses on the beds, so think of this as a jump start to what you will need for college in a year. Another handy thing to have is a small shower caddy to keep all your shower/personal things together, again, something that really comes in handy for college. You will be sharing a bathroom with at least 2 other people, and there isn’t a lot of room to leave your things in the shower.
Are there hand towels and/or paper towels in the dorms and bathrooms?
While Longwood does provide us with toilet paper, we are on our own for hand towels/paper towels in the dorms. Be sure to pack a hand towel or some paper towels. Thinner towels are great for Girls State because they take up less room in your suitcase and they dry a lot quicker!
What will be the theme of your city?
Will I have lots of time to catch up on sleep while at Girls State?
Get plenty of sleep before you come. There is no down time. The day begins early, ends late, and the schedule is non-stop.
What can I do to prepare?
Think of party platform issues, legislative bill ideas, cheers to show party spirit, and ideas for your city’s theme.
Be sure to NOT bring campaign materials already made, speeches already written, or discuss your intentions on the internet.
Should I bring my laptop? Is wireless access available to citizens of Girls State?
You will meet new people and create friendships that last a lifetime!
Public WiFi is available throughout Longwood’s campus. If delegates choose to bring a laptop or other mobile devices, it should be noted that the delegate dorm rooms do not lock. Delegates are responsible for any devices they bring to campus. The counselors and staff are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged equipment.
Is my dorm room locked?
Although all buildings are locked at all times and only staff has keys, dorm rooms will not be locked. All valuables should be kept on your person or left at home. Virginia Girls State and the American Legion Auxiliary are not responsible for lost or stolen items left in dorm rooms or on the campus of Longwood University.
