Manhattan ? The American Legion Boys State of Kansas has agreed to continue holding its youth leadership program at Kansas State University through 2015.

The program has been hosted by Kansas State since 1991, bringing together 600 high school boys for a weeklong exercise in democracy and youth leadership.

Officials from the university and Boys State announced the extension of the contract Wednesday.

The conference attendants, staff and American Legion members stay in university residence halls and use other campus facilities to conduct simulations in city, county and state government.

Boys State was founded in 1935. A companion event, Boys Nation, is held each summer in Washington, D.C.