It’s not some shouting, gun toting, baseball bat wielding, government extremist trying to get attention for his cause.

What do baseball, oratory, shooting, scouts, government issues all have in common? It’s not some shouting, gun toting, baseball bat wielding, government extremist trying to get attention for his cause. For this purpose, the common denominator is youth. Thousands of them. Maybe even hundreds of thousands. All of them vying for one thing – participation in an American Legion program. This time of year the finalists in the Oratorical Contest are being selected and they will soon be on their way to the National Finals held at IUPUI in Indianapolis, IN on April 9-11, 2010. Think this would be easy? The contestants have been through Post, District, Area and Department levels to get this far – presenting at least an eight minute oration on a section of the Constitution of their choice and also at least three minutes on any of four amendments. Try doing that without gripping a podium or having notes. American Legion Baseball is now in full swing – hehe. Team registration has started and soon the thwack of bats will be heard on diamonds across the land. Check here to find famous baseball players who played American Legion baseball and consider it to be their start in baseball. Did you know that many players from Bob Feller to Albert Pujols played American Legion Baseball? It will all come down to The American Legion World Series in Spokane, WA on August 13-17, 2010. Grab a bag of popcorn and your lawn chair and enjoy a game. Air rifles, and we’re not talking the pump action bb guns of your youth, but air rifles capable of putting a pellet 10 meters down the range and hitting a spot the size of a pencil lead are the backbone of the Junior Shooting Sports Program. It offers a basic marksmanship course along with the opportunity to participate in face to face and postal matches. The top competitors in two fields, sporter and precision, are offered a place at the final match which is held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO on August 3-8, 2010. The American Legion's support for Boy Scouts of America began at the Legion’s first national convention in 1919 and has been a constant since then. There are more than 2500 Scouting units sponsored by American Legion Posts across the nation. A National Eagle Scout is chosen every year and there are opportunities for the Square Knot Award for deserving volunteers. This is their 100th Anniversary. Go Scouts! Remember that boring Government class? You could have been the star pupil if you attended Boys or Girls State. A program held in 49 states, engaging young men and women in a study of local, county and state government. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, elections of state officials as well as band and recreational programs. Two talented young men and two equally talented young women will become Boys Nation and Girls Nation Senators and convene in Washington, DC in July. Here’s the real kicker though. Each and every one of these programs offers scholarships. Opportunities are available from the local Post, County, District, and Department – all the way to the National level. Every one of those hundreds of thousands of youth has an opportunity waiting for them. Email, text message, IM, facebook, or gasp! phone them, but let them know about these great opportunities just out there waiting for them.