OSHKOSH - The 66th Badger Girls State will host 17 girls from Racine County high schools.

The program, held June 21-26 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, teaches the principles of democracy in a hands-on format.

More than 700 delegates from throughout the state are expected at this year's session. The students, representing every school district in Wisconsin, will learn about government by operating their own cities, counties and state.

The delegates, who must be in the top third of their class, will see how the government's executive, legislative and judicial branches work. They will plan election campaigns, elect candidates to office, write political platforms and conduct government business.

During the six days in Oshkosh, the girls not only learn how parliamentary procedure works, they also learn the ins and outs of state government, such as the role of lobbyists and the duties of the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Issues are debated and votes are cast.

The girls will participate in a variety of recreational activities, called interest groups including the publication of a daily newspaper, Badger Tales.

A total of 138 young women attended the first Wisconsin Girls State program in 1941. It was held every year at UW-Madison until the Wisconsin American Legion Auxiliary decided to move it to UW-Oshkosh.