Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > Arkansas Boys State sessions to livestream on AR-CAN beginning Sunday
Posted 27 May 2021
Arkansas PBS offers unique opportunity to view immersive civics program
CONWAY, Ark. (Arkansas PBS) — Arkansas PBS and Arkansas Boys State 2021 have partnered to livestream presentations, speeches and elections from the immersive civics program Sunday, May 30, through Friday, June 4, on the Arkansas Citizens Access Network (AR-CAN), myarpbs.org/arcan.
Arkansas Boys State, sponsored by the American Legion, immerses high school juniors in civics education. Since 1940, the week-long camp has helped shape the next generation of leaders, many of whom have gone on to become state, national and international leaders. Past participants have included President Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chief of Staff Mack McLarty, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman and Arkansas Chief Justice John Dan Kemp, among others.
During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week’s end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making lifelong memories and friends – all under the guiding principle “Democracy Depends on Me.”
This year’s event will be entirely virtual, allowing for livestreaming to parents, friends, families and anyone else interested in following proceedings of the program.
The livestreaming schedule will include:
· Sunday, May 30 – Keynote address to delegation at 2:30 p.m.
· Monday, May 31 – Keynote address and Memorial Day program at 12:45 p.m.
· Tuesday, June 1 – Keynote address to delegation at 12:30 p.m.
· Wednesday, June 2 –State office primary election speeches at 9:15 a.m.; keynote address to delegation at 11:30 a.m.; state office runoff election speeches at 12:15 p.m.
· Thursday, June 3 – State office general election speeches at 9:15 a.m.; gubernatorial debate at 10:15 a.m.; Boys Nation election speeches at 11:30 a.m.; and keynote from Gov. Asa Hutchinson and swearing-in ceremony at 12:15 p.m.
· Friday, June 4 – Legislative session at 9:30 a.m.
A complete schedule and livestreaming coverage is available at myarpbs.org/arcan. Additional information about Arkansas Boys State is available at arboysstate.org.
Arkansas Girls State was also invited to participate in livestreaming but declined due to logistical challenges with this year’s session.
AR-CAN provides unprecedented access to state government, giving Arkansas citizens a front row seat to legislative proceedings, board and commission meetings, and other government hearings and activities. The website is dedicated to livestreaming Arkansas state government events and meetings and serves as an important educational tool, allowing students to see their government at work while learning about public affairs and civic responsibility.
To receive text message updates about livestreaming government events, such as Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s weekly media briefings, text ARCAN to (501) 426-5552.
Arkansas PBS, Arkansas’s only statewide public media network, enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. Arkansas PBS delivers daily, essential, local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through multiple digital platforms, including livestreaming at myarkansaspbs.org/watch, on-demand services and YouTube TV, and the distinct channels Arkansas PBS, Arkansas PBS Create, Arkansas PBS KIDS, Arkansas PBS WORLD and Arkansas PBS AIRS on SAP. Members with Arkansas PBS Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. Arkansas PBS depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at myarkansaspbs.org. Arkansas PBS is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).
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