Tar Heel Boys State is one of the most competitive and respected summer programs in North Carolina
Don’t Know about Tar Heel Boys State?
Mission: Boys State is a leadership program of action. The mission of Tar Heel Boys State is to teach North Carolina’s rising high school seniors the principles of American government through hands-on participation in a model state. Since 1938, the program has focused on the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizenship, with objective training on the structure of city, county, and state governments. It builds leadership skills like coalition-building, independent thinking, and navigating disagreements while fostering patriotism and civic pride.
Implementation happens as an intensive one-week summer program on a North Carolina college campus, currently at Chowan University. American Legion posts select and often sponsor qualified male juniors who arrive, form “cities,” write charters, and divide into two political parties. Delegates run for and hold elected offices at city, county, and state levels, then engage in Government-in-Action sessions covering legislation, courts, and local governance, plus assemblies, distinguished guest speakers, and recreational programs. Two top delegates advance to Boys Nation in Washington, D.C.
Participation at the 86th Session of North Carolina’s Tar Heel Boys State this past June 2026 was 163 delegates, of which 3 rising senior delegates from the North Wilmington area were sponsored by Biggs – Kramer Post 545, to include the $500 per delegate fee.
Learn More Here: https://tarheelboysstate.org/
2026 Tar Heel Boys State
McDowell Columns Hall – Tar Heel Boys State Graduation Site
Turner Auditorium – Graduation Ceremony
2026 Graduating Class and Staff
TAR HEEL GIRLS STATE
The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors the Tar Heel Girls State program in North Carolina for rising senior girls.
The American Legion Auxiliary Tar Heel Girls State originated in 1940 to provide an opportunity to study and practice citizenship. For over 85 years, this program has served several thousand young leaders by deepening their sense of responsibilities as citizens and serving as a practical source of instruction in the structure and operation of state and local governments.
Tar Heel Girls State is the longest continuously running Girls State program in the country.
Rising seniors from across the state spend a week creating city government, political parties, and a state government. They elect officials, write and debate bills, create working governments and attend various workshops to prepare them for their senior year and college.
Learn More Here: https://www.alathgs.com/
